Past Research & Projects
Conference title: Harm Reduction in Northern and Rural Communities: A Quesnel
ConferenceFunders: Northern Health Authority ($5,000); British Columbia Nurses Union (BCNU) ($5,000); Quesnel Women’s Resource Centre ($4,000); Youth Sexual Health Team ($2,923)
Dates: 2008 (Conference was held Nov. 7, 2008)
Role: Co-Principal Investigator / Conference Co-Chair
Research abstract:
The purpose of the conference was to introduce the concepts of harm reduction to health care and social service providers in the community of Quesnel. The long-term goal of the conference was to improve delivery of health and social services in Quesnel to marginalized populations (such as: people who are addicted, homeless people, people using illegal drugs, and people involved in sex work, etc.)
Research title: Women’s Responses to Rural Economic Decline: Implications for Housing Policies
Funder: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) ($101,138)
Dates: 2004-2008
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
Many northern rural communities of British Columbia are experiencing a rapid economic decline. This is marked by loss of employment, outward migration, declining property values, social disruption, and pressure on communities to transform their economic base. Outward migration results in disruption of multigenerational family ties as family members move elsewhere for employment. While the general impact of economic decline is well understood, we have little information on the role housing policies play in socio-economic dynamic. In this study we investigated the relationships between economic decline and outward migration and housing policies in northern British Columbia as they affect women’s lives, in particular women’s voluntary and profession obligations to give care to the young, elderly and disabled.
Research title: A Literature Review of Northern Homelessness Research
Funder: Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) ($24,442)
Dates: 2004-2006
Role: Principal Investigator
Research abstract:
With increasing homelessness being documented in Canada there has been a resurgence of interest over the last decade in researching causes and best practices in prevention and intervention of homelessness. There has been much individual research exploring the particular uniqueness of homelessness in northern British Columbia and Canada. However, as of yet there is no document that pulls together the research on northern perspectives of homelessness. This project completed a review of literature on homelessness from a northern perspective. In addition to documenting the research and literature that exists, we provided an analysis of the overall themes specific to northern homelessness.
Research title: Strengthening and Creating Capacity to Care for Children and Youth Fund
Funder: Ministry for Children & Family Development, Province of BC ($2,000,000)
Dates: 2003
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
The goals of the project were to: (1) to reduce the number of children and youth in care, while ensuring their safety and well being; (2) to support projects that build capacity in communities and families to return children who are currently in care; to support families in the growth and development of healthy safe children and youth; and, (3) to support collaborative community projects that will prevent high risk children and youth from coming into care. A number of community-based pilot projects were developed across northern BC through access to this fund, and an evaluation was conducted on these projects.
Research title: Is there a Better Way? The Cost of Homelessness in Smithers
Funder: HRSDC - National Homelessness Initiative ($30,000)
Dates: 2003-2005
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
The purpose of the research was to explore homelessness in Smithers, BC and suggest best practices for addressing the issue and supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Research title: A Research Project of the Quesnel Women’s Centre: Local Women’s Experiences with Health Care Access
Funder: Status of Women, Canada ($20,000)
Dates: 2003-2004
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
The Quesnel Women’s Centre spearheaded an exploration of women’s access to health care in the community. Recommendations were made for improving access to health care services at a local level.
Research title: Youth Homelessness in Williams Lake, BC
Funder: HRSDC - National Homelessness Initiative ($30,000)
Dates: 2002
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
The non-profit housing society and the youth centre joined forces to conduct a survey to better understand the extent of youth homelessness in Williams Lake and the issues associated with homelessness. A final report details the findings along with recommendations for how the community can best support these youth.
Research title: Home is More Than Where the Heart Is: Listening to the Voices of People Who Live with Homelessness.
Funder: HRSDC - National Homelessness Initiative ($30,890)
Dates: 2002
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
Using a participatory research approach the study explored the extent and experiences of homelessness in Prince George, BC. Issues of service access were examined and recommendations were made to improve local services to this population.
Research title: An annotated literature review on early childhood development programs and implications specific to the Cariboo
Funder: Child Welfare Research Centre, UNBC ($2,000)
Dates: 2002
Role: Principal Investigator
Research abstract:
The purpose of the literature review was to examine current research on early childhood development programs. Based on the findings suggestions were made for program implications in the Cariboo region.
Research title: Evaluation of the First Nations Health Liaison Program, Williams Lake, BC
Funder: Cariboo Health and Cariboo Health Council ($4,000)
Dates: 2001
Role: Principal Investigator
Research abstract:
The purpose of the research was to conduct a program evaluation of the First Nations Health Liaison Program operating through (what was then known as) the Cariboo Health Region in Williams Lake, BC.
Dates: 2008 (Conference was held Nov. 7, 2008)
Role: Co-Principal Investigator / Conference Co-Chair
Research abstract:
The purpose of the conference was to introduce the concepts of harm reduction to health care and social service providers in the community of Quesnel. The long-term goal of the conference was to improve delivery of health and social services in Quesnel to marginalized populations (such as: people who are addicted, homeless people, people using illegal drugs, and people involved in sex work, etc.)
Research title: Women’s Responses to Rural Economic Decline: Implications for Housing Policies
Funder: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) ($101,138)
Dates: 2004-2008
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
Many northern rural communities of British Columbia are experiencing a rapid economic decline. This is marked by loss of employment, outward migration, declining property values, social disruption, and pressure on communities to transform their economic base. Outward migration results in disruption of multigenerational family ties as family members move elsewhere for employment. While the general impact of economic decline is well understood, we have little information on the role housing policies play in socio-economic dynamic. In this study we investigated the relationships between economic decline and outward migration and housing policies in northern British Columbia as they affect women’s lives, in particular women’s voluntary and profession obligations to give care to the young, elderly and disabled.
Research title: A Literature Review of Northern Homelessness Research
Funder: Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) ($24,442)
Dates: 2004-2006
Role: Principal Investigator
Research abstract:
With increasing homelessness being documented in Canada there has been a resurgence of interest over the last decade in researching causes and best practices in prevention and intervention of homelessness. There has been much individual research exploring the particular uniqueness of homelessness in northern British Columbia and Canada. However, as of yet there is no document that pulls together the research on northern perspectives of homelessness. This project completed a review of literature on homelessness from a northern perspective. In addition to documenting the research and literature that exists, we provided an analysis of the overall themes specific to northern homelessness.
Research title: Strengthening and Creating Capacity to Care for Children and Youth Fund
Funder: Ministry for Children & Family Development, Province of BC ($2,000,000)
Dates: 2003
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
The goals of the project were to: (1) to reduce the number of children and youth in care, while ensuring their safety and well being; (2) to support projects that build capacity in communities and families to return children who are currently in care; to support families in the growth and development of healthy safe children and youth; and, (3) to support collaborative community projects that will prevent high risk children and youth from coming into care. A number of community-based pilot projects were developed across northern BC through access to this fund, and an evaluation was conducted on these projects.
Research title: Is there a Better Way? The Cost of Homelessness in Smithers
Funder: HRSDC - National Homelessness Initiative ($30,000)
Dates: 2003-2005
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
The purpose of the research was to explore homelessness in Smithers, BC and suggest best practices for addressing the issue and supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Research title: A Research Project of the Quesnel Women’s Centre: Local Women’s Experiences with Health Care Access
Funder: Status of Women, Canada ($20,000)
Dates: 2003-2004
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
The Quesnel Women’s Centre spearheaded an exploration of women’s access to health care in the community. Recommendations were made for improving access to health care services at a local level.
Research title: Youth Homelessness in Williams Lake, BC
Funder: HRSDC - National Homelessness Initiative ($30,000)
Dates: 2002
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
The non-profit housing society and the youth centre joined forces to conduct a survey to better understand the extent of youth homelessness in Williams Lake and the issues associated with homelessness. A final report details the findings along with recommendations for how the community can best support these youth.
Research title: Home is More Than Where the Heart Is: Listening to the Voices of People Who Live with Homelessness.
Funder: HRSDC - National Homelessness Initiative ($30,890)
Dates: 2002
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract:
Using a participatory research approach the study explored the extent and experiences of homelessness in Prince George, BC. Issues of service access were examined and recommendations were made to improve local services to this population.
Research title: An annotated literature review on early childhood development programs and implications specific to the Cariboo
Funder: Child Welfare Research Centre, UNBC ($2,000)
Dates: 2002
Role: Principal Investigator
Research abstract:
The purpose of the literature review was to examine current research on early childhood development programs. Based on the findings suggestions were made for program implications in the Cariboo region.
Research title: Evaluation of the First Nations Health Liaison Program, Williams Lake, BC
Funder: Cariboo Health and Cariboo Health Council ($4,000)
Dates: 2001
Role: Principal Investigator
Research abstract:
The purpose of the research was to conduct a program evaluation of the First Nations Health Liaison Program operating through (what was then known as) the Cariboo Health Region in Williams Lake, BC.
