AMPLIFYing Indigenous voices for culturally safer sexual and reproductive health

CGSHE commemorates International Women’s Day

For this year’s International Women’s Day, we wanted to recognize a handful of women who have acted as advocates in the gender and sexual health equity space. Jean Goodwill, Dianna Boileau & Brenda Campbell helped to pave the way in their communities for the women who came after them.

Congratulations, Dr. Wendy Norman: Newly appointed CGSHE Interim Executive Director

We are thrilled to announce that UBC has appointed Dr. Wendy Norman as Interim Executive Director of Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity at the University Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Wendy V. Norman (she/her/hers) joins CGSHE as of February 1, 2023 as the Interim Executive Director of the Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity at the UBC Faculty of Medicine.

CGSHE faculty members awarded MSFHR Scholar Awards to advance gender equity & reproductive justice

Dr. Brittany Bingham and Dr. Julia Smith have been awarded Michael Smith Health Research Scholar Award aimed at supporting the next generation of scientists. Dr. Bingham’s Scholar Award at CGSHE/UBC FoM will focus on resourcing and expanding her research program using decolonizing, arts-based and intersectional methods to advance health equity and reproductive justice among Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people. Dr. Smith’s Scholar Award will support her research program to develop transformative pandemic response, recovery and preparedness based on her current research on the effects of COVID-19 on women and health care providers.

In Memory of Lulu Gurney

Lulu Gurney was a brilliant researcher, social justice advocate and friend to so many of us at the Centre of Gender & Sexual Health Equity. She generously contributed her expertise and creativity to various roles in community-based research projects focused on social justice, trans health and improving the lives of people living with HIV.

World Sexual Health Day 2022 Feature on Sexual Health & Pleasure: Instagram mythbuster on science of sex

Based on a survey of 3000 people, CGSHE faculty Dr. Samantha Dawson created MisconSEXions, a social media campaign that debunks common myths about sex and sexuality. “From these results, we created Instagram content using the latest sexuality science to counter this misinformation, paying particular attention to nuances related to sexual and gender diversity and gaps in knowledge.” The goal of MisconSEXions, like much of Dr. Dawson’s research, is to provide information backed by science to improve people’s knowledge about sex in order to enhance their sexual wellbeing. “Despite its importance, we really know so little about something as basic as sexual pleasure.”

New tools in CGSHE Research Equity Toolkit foster gender inclusive research

The Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine has released the next tools in its Gender & Sex in Methods & Measurement Research Equity Toolkit, designed to help researchers be more inclusive of people who are marginalized and minoritized based on their genders, sexes and sexualities. Tool #2 Effective Recruitment Strategies helps researchers design a clear plan for identifying and reaching prospective participants. Building on that, Tool #3 Sampling Plans and Data Analyses explores the relationship between sampling and gender, sex and sexuality.

Pride Month Spotlight: CGSHE’s REAFFIRM Collaborative launches a survey to explore gender expression & sexual identities in Two-Spirit, trans & queer youth

As Pride Month gears up, researchers at the Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity are asking young Canadians about their gender and sexuality in an effort to improve their safety and wellbeing. CGSHE’s REAFFIRM Collaborative led by CGSHE faculty Dr. Travis Salway launched the UNACORN survey to learn more about young people’s gender expression and sexual identity in a range of settings, including religious, health care, family and sports.

On International Day for Women & Girls in Science, we must amplify & support the next generation 

International Day for Women and Girls in Science is a day to celebrate the women trailblazers in science and amplify the next generation. But it’s also a time to reflect on the need for transformative change to address systemic inequities, according to Dr. Kate Shannon, Executive Director of the Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity. “Across the globe, there are major gender gaps in representation of women and girls in science, and this is only amplified for Indigenous, Black and other racialized women as well as LGBTQ/2S researchers. The stats are alarming and demonstrate systemic barriers to women entering and staying in academia ranging from public health and medicine to social sciences.”

CGSHE launches new Research Equity Toolkit Series to create more gender inclusive research

The Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine has released the first in a series of Research Equity Toolkits to help researchers be more inclusive of people who are marginalized and minoritized based on their genders and sexes. including intersex, trans, non-binary, Two-Spirit people and others. The goal of the Gender & Sex in Methods & Measurement Research Equity Toolkit is to empower researchers to ensure more accurate, actionable work, according to project lead Dr. A.J. Lowik.