ABOUT US
About CDE
The Conference on Diversity in Engineering (CDE) is a 3-day conference bringing together over 150 delegates from CFES member schools across the country, combining formative workshops, networking opportunities, social connections, and transformative conversations aimed at inspiring students to champion Equity, Diversity, Belonging, and Accessibility (EDBA) at their schools and equipping them with the tools to do so.
From November 21st to 24th, 2025, McGill will welcome student leaders from across the country to learn, share perspectives, and forge connections with fellow students, speakers, and industry representatives. Our theme, From Barriers to Breakthroughs, will challenge students to re-evaluate the barriers throughout our profession, and equip them with the tools to enact the concrete solutions needed to create breakthroughs in the profession and society as a whole We live in a diverse and complex world, with CDE, we hope to prepare the next generation of engineers to not only consider but champion diverse perspectives, designing inclusive solutions to the world’s problems and creating a stronger profession.
About CFES
The Canadian Federation of Engineering Students (CFES) is a bilingual student organization representing over 85,000 engineering students from 50 member schools across Canada. Our goal is to create opportunities for students to develop their leadership, communication, technical skills, and identity through conferences, workshops, competitions, and community building across regional barriers. We host four annual engineering conferences, bringing students together to learn, share perspectives, and network, in addition to the Canadian Engineering Competition, which allows students to showcase their technical skills.
The CFES comprises members from across Canada, who are represented by four regional bodies: ACES (Atlantic), QCESO (Quebec), ESSCO (Ontario), and WESST (West).
Our Theme
CDE 2025 is about more than just discussing challenges, it’s about inspiring and helping delegates to drive real change. Our theme, From Barriers to Breakthroughs, focuses on breaking systemic obstacles in engineering education and industry.
Through interactive workshops, panels, and case studies, delegates will not only learn about barriers in engineering, but will gain actionable insights from leaders in industry and academia.
Engineering for accessibility, with a focus on both visible and invisible disabilities, alongside increasing representation of marginalized groups in engineering spaces are just a few of the important topics this conference will be addressing.
With a strong focus on real-world applications, CDE 2025 will equip attendees with strategies to foster a more inclusive profession, ensuring that sponsors play a key role in shaping the next generation of diverse engineers.
Streams
Engineering Connections
Strengthen technical and cross-disciplinary collaboration by exploring engineering challenges and EDI-driven innovations. Delegates will engage in discussions that enhance networks, representation, and innovation in the field.
Redefining Challenges
Address systemic issues in engineering with a strong focus on accessibility, equity, and removing barriers to entry. This stream emphasizes the importance of inclusive design and explores solutions for creating a more equitable profession.
Building for Impact
Equip delegates with the tools to drive change within their universities and communities. This stream focuses on leadership, community-driven engineering solutions, and sustainable design, ensuring that attendees leave with clear, actionable steps to make a lasting impact.
CDE 2024
