An AI researcher who must be disabled? Bring meritocracy back

Peter MacKinnon
National Post
October 9, 2025

Males and other able-bodied individuals barred from applying to Dalhousie University position

Dalhousie University is seeking a chair in artificial intelligence and healthy aging. The advertisement reads: “The Faculties of Computer Science and Health at Dalhousie University invite applications for a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Artificial Intelligence and Healthy Aging. This position is designated to candidates who self-identify as women with a disability or gender equity-seeking persons with a disability.”

In other words, men, non-disabled women and non-disabled gender equity-seeking persons need not apply.

READ FULL COLUMN HERE

Peter MacKinnon served as the president of three Canadian universities and is a senior fellow of the Aristotle Foundation.

Like our work? Think more Canadians should see the facts? Please consider making a donation to the Aristotle Foundation.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER