Category: Weekly

Get ready for an exciting event at Western University! The FIMS Graduate Conference 2024 is on the horizon, bringing together graduate scholars from the Faculty of Information & Media Studies (FIMS) for a day of learning and collaboration. With the theme “Generating Community,” this interdisciplinary gathering promises to highlight the diverse research endeavors and collaborative spirit that define FIMS.

Scheduled for April 9th, 2024, at the FIMS and Nursing Building, the conference invites graduate students from various FIMS programs to share their scholarly pursuits. From media studies to health information research, the conference embraces the breadth of topics explored within the faculty.

As the conference approaches, graduate students across FIMS are invited to submit abstract proposals by February 25, 2024. With an emphasis on inclusivity and collaboration, the FIMS Graduate Conference 2024 promises to be a celebration of scholarly inquiry and community-building within the vibrant academic ecosystem of Western University.

To stay updated on the latest developments and announcements regarding the conference, visit the official website and follow FIMS on social media channels. Join us in exploring the intersections of academia, community, and innovation at the FIMS Graduate Conference 2024.

In the realm of public health, addressing the complexities of substance use is a critical undertaking. The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) and CAPSA invite you to embark on a transformative journey through their virtual workshop, “Challenging Structural Stigma.” Due to popular demand, two additional opportunities are now available for those who missed the initial session.

Dates and Registration Information:

1. February 14th 9am-12pm EST & February 15th 9am-12pm EST (21 spots left) Register for the February workshop here!
2. March 5th 1-4pm EST & March 6th 1-4pm EST (12 spots left) Register for the March workshop here!

Unpacking Structural Stigma: What to Expect

Led by accomplished facilitators, Ashleigh Hyland from CAPSA and Megan Harris from Gestalt Collective, these two-day virtual workshops promise an enriching exploration of the impacts of structural stigma related to substance use. Participants will emerge with valuable insights and practical tools to drive positive change within their professional spheres.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Stigma: Delve into the various forms of stigma and the underlying factors contributing to substance use-related stigma.
2. Assessing Policies and Practices: Strengthen your ability to assess stigmatizing policies, programs, or practices and learn how to engage in advocacy to reduce stigma.
3. Empowering Lived Experiences: Recognize the indispensable role of individuals with lived and living experience in the healthcare system, emphasizing their vital contribution to policy and program decisions.

Registration Details:

• These workshops are identical, so please register for only one to ensure maximum participation.
• Limited to 25 participants per workshop, securing your spot is crucial.

Connect and Inquire:

For further information and inquiries, reach out to Kelsey MacIntosh, Senior Project Officer at the Canadian Public Health Association. Email: kmacintosh@cpha.ca

A $3,000,000 research fund is available to develop and launch the first-ever 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub. This hub will be a national research network, tasked with generating data and consolidating resources, best practices, and tools that will benefit 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. The goal of the 2SLGBTQI+ Knowledge Hub is to provide public access to these resources, supports, and information, regarding the 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurial landscape in Canada, through an accessible online platform.

As an underdeveloped field of research, 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and businesses lack access to support systems, business opportunities, and resourceful information. By conducting nation-wide qualitative and quantitative research in Canada, the 2SLGBTQI+ Knowledge Hub will identify these research gaps and seek to support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and businesses in overcoming the challenges and systemic barriers they encounter.

Who is eligible to apply for this funding?

• The Lead Applicant must be a provincially/territorially recognized post-secondary academic institution or research institute;
• The Application must include partnerships of three or more project partners that will contribute to the research and dissemination activities, that may include, but are not limited to:
  • Other provincially/territorially recognized post-secondary academic institutions or research institutes;
  • Community-based research organizations;
  • Non-profit organizations;
  • Think tanks.
• Must have the capacity to conduct and coordinate large-scale, national quantitative and qualitative research projects, with the ability to safely collect and anonymize statistics;
• Must demonstrate the ability to deliver program activities and products in both official languages (English and French);
• Are expected to bring a contribution to the project, either financially or in-kind, to demonstrate their commitment to the development and delivery of the 2SLGBTQI+ Knowledge Hub and to leverage the funding provided by the government.

Ready to apply?

Visit the 2SLGBTQI Entrepreneurship Program’s Knowledge Hub

Contact

If you have any questions or issues, our Grant Manager is here for you:
Abdi Hassan (he/him), Grant Manager Research
abdi@cglcc.ca
(416) 761-5151  ext. 104

A knowledge exchange forum on peer work in housing and homelessness took place on November 27, 2023. Strummed in by local musician, Dan Crow, led by the Peer Navigator Project with support from CRHESI, peer workers from multiple organizations, their co-workers and leaders, and researchers gathered at Innovation Works, in downtown London.

The afternoon was buzzing with shared insights about the unique value of peer work to support people accessing health and social services, passion to address challenges and a keen urgency to mobilize efforts to support the growth of peer work.

The following summarizies key issues raised by event participants with recommendations for action.

The Peer Navigator Project is a community-based research project that works alongside key community partners to engage Peer Navigators (PN) in Canada: London, Toronto, and Vancouver, and Kenya: Eldoret, Huruma, and Kitale. The goal of this study is to determine how well PNs meet the needs of street connected youth, particularly in facilitating access to HIV and AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment. The Peer Navigator Project (PNP) is funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research. Please click the following weblink to read the full interim report: https://pnpstudy.net/peer-navigator-project-18-month-progress-report-toronto-2/

Below is an introduction to peer work and the PNP with a focus on the London, ON site.

Creating an On-Going Community of Peer Workers

This event, Peer Driven Work in Housing and Homelessness for Health Equity, fostered meaningful discussions and shed light on the dedication of peer workers, and their leaders and colleagues in community.

Envisioning the future of peer work, participants called for ways to continue their connection, to continue to support each other and advocate for peer work.

Plans are in progress for a peer-led community of practice to begin in early 2024!

For more information please contact:
Abe Oudshoorn
aoudsho@uwo.ca

Thanks to the event planning committee: Abe Oudshoorn, Amy Van Berkum, Arun Jentrick, Christine Garinger, Jenna Pogue, Kaitlyn Widdup, and Katie MacEntee.

The Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion (CRHESI) in Western University’s Faculty of Health Sciences is hiring a Research & Evaluation Coordinator/Manager to support London’s Whole of Community System Response to Health & Homelessness (WCSRHH).

This new role will be responsible for the comprehensive management, planning, oversight and execution of research and evaluation activities among, and between, community partner organizations delivering services to Londoners experiencing homelessness.  A key activity will be to facilitate collaborations with Western investigators and community partners to ensure the successful attainment of research and evaluation objectives.  The position will play a lead role in managing and participating in meetings and other activities specific to the research and evaluation of the WCSRHH, serving a key liaison and engagement function between and among CRHESI members, Western University researchers and the WCSRHH’s System Foundations and Strategy & Accountability Tables

Full-time (35 hours per week) 2 year contract (February 1, 2024-  January 31, 2026). For more details and to apply, follow the instructions below.

Job ID: 33363 CRHESI Research & Evaluation Coordinator

DIRECTIONS:

1. Select the link to access our careers site. 
2. Sign In to access your account or if you are not an existing user select the New User link to create one. 
3. Review the job description and select the Apply button to begin your application.

https://recruit.uwo.ca/psc/hrprdwebER/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_CAREERS_FL&Action=U&SiteId=1&FOCUS=Applicant

If you are a current Western employee or have worked at Western within the past 6 months please use the following link instead:

https://myhr.uwo.ca/psp/hrprdweb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_EMP_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_CAREERS_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Employee&SiteId=1