The Courage to Act Foundation

Published purpose

Through this 27-month systemic change project, The Courage to Act Foundation will scale “At the Root: A Systems Change Approach to Addressing Sexual Harassment in STEM-focused Experiential Learning” to advance the economic security and prosperity of women and gender-diverse individuals. It will address the urgent but oft-ignored issue of sexual harassment in experiential learning, particularly within STEM contexts. To accomplish this, the project will engage in focused resource creation, education and training, network building, and advocacy. It will scale a successful national research-to-action initiative at three levels: adapting national resources on responding to sexual harassment in experiential learning to address specific needs for STEM-focused programs; expanding learning labs for post-secondary staff and administrators across six provinces; and, tailoring educational activities to advocate for policy and legislative changes that were identified in national research. With the Supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, the Courage to Act Foundation will launch a STEM Students’ National Advisory Council, conduct National Research on addressing and preventing sexual harassment in STEM experiential learning, and host a 3-day bilingual, hybrid National Forum on creating Safer STEM Experiential Learning. Through this, the Foundation will engage post-secondary students, faculty and staff, practitioners, and policy makers in developing solutions to systemic barriers to women and gender diverse people’s equality, participation, and economic security within STEM fields.