Shift is excited to be working with the Calgary Police Service (CPS) to advance gender equity and inclusion within the service by testing an approach that was developed through the  Engaging Men Learning Collaborative, a process launched in 2017.  Specifically developed with male-oriented settings in mind, the Changing Contexts Approach draws on Behavioural Insights theory, feminist theory, social norms theory, and gender-transformational approaches to support the development of ‘nudges’ (small contextual changes) that research shows help to cue more equitable, pro-social behaviours. The ‘changing context’ approach complements a more traditional ‘changing minds’ approach and helps to ensure that the contexts in which men work, play, learn, live and worship reinforce the attitudes and skills that are cultivated through transformational learning approaches.

Shift began working with CPS in Spring 2020. Year one focused on building relationships, orienting ourselves to CPS/the Canadian policing context, supporting ongoing learning related to gender dynamics among the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams, and developing evidence-based recommendations for nudges to various CPS processes, communications, structures, etc. within the service.