|
| |
Dear WHRI Membership,
It is well known that women’s health research is underfunded compared to other areas of health. Moreover, a recent publication in Nature demonstrated that the funding for women’s health issues is not in line with the burden that those issues create. (I highly recommend that you read this article and take note of the eye-catching infographics that convey the magnitude of this disparity). An analysis of the projects funded by CIHR found that only 5.9% of them looked at female-specific outcomes. This gross underfunding of women’s health research extends also to the scientists and trainees carrying out the research. Although we do not have data on the proportion of Canadian trainees who are studying women’s health research topics and who also hold competitive salary awards, we might speculate that the inequities impacting the funding of women’s health research also extends to those trainees. In 2019, the WHRI launched a graduate student salary award competition, thanks to the generous donation of friend of the BC Women’s Health Foundation. A key criterion for eligibility was that the trainee did not hold an existing salary award from a competitive process (e.g., a tri-council graduate award for example). We received 64 applications and were able to award a single trainee with $12,500. Since then, we have been able to expand the amount of support provided, thanks to the BC Women’s Health Foundation, and this year also thanks to a grant from the BC Ministry of Health, and we can now support one Masters level, one PhD level graduate student, and one Postdoctoral Fellowship each in the amount of $21,000. Prioritizing trainees who do not hold existing competitive funding is one way that the WHRI lives out our value of equity, diversity, and inclusivity since there is ample evidence that under-serviced and marginalized researchers are less likely to receive salary support. And receiving one competitive award opens up the door for future awards, allowing the negative spiral to change direction. I encourage you to share the call for our WHRI Graduate and Fellowship Research Award in Women’s Health with any trainee you know who may be eligible.
Sincerely, Lori Brotto, PhD, R Psych Executive Director | Women's Health Research Institute
Professor | Department of OBGYN, UBC
Canada Research Chair | Women's Sexual Health
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Calling WHRI Trainees – Graduate and Fellowship Research Award in Women’s Health
| |
 |
The WHRI, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health and the BC Women’s Health Foundation, is pleased to announce the 2023 Graduate and Fellowship Research Award in Women's Health. This award is intended to provide salary support to WHRI-affiliated Master’s students, Doctoral students and Postdoctoral Fellows who are engaged in women’s and/or newborn health research and who do not currently hold major competitive salary awards.
Important Dates
Application deadline: September 8, 2023, 11PM PDT
Anticipated Notice of Decision: October 27, 2023
Funding Start Date: November 1, 2023
For full application instructions and eligibility criteria, please see the links below.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Government of Canada announces $4.2 million in funding to strengthen abortion access
 | |
The Canadian government declared funding of over $4.2 million on May 9th, with the aim of enhancing abortion accessibility in the country. One of the recipients of this funding is the Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Co-led by Dr. Wendy V. Norman and Dr. Sarah Munro.
CART is a multidisciplinary, pan-Canadian research network composed of researchers, clinicians, trainees, decision makers, and community advocates. Their collective goal is to conduct influential research that enhances fair access to the information, resources, and services necessary for individuals across Canada to achieve their personal reproductive goals, regardless of their circumstances.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Integrating Research into Practice with Dr. Justyne Morrow
| |
 |
This month, meet Dr. Justyne Morrow, a remarkable family physician awarded the prestigious 2021 Sue Harris Family Practice Research Grant. Her groundbreaking study, "Barriers to Accessing Cervical Cancer Screening in the Thompson-Nicola Region," uncovers vital insights.
Discover her inspiring journey and groundbreaking work in our interview.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The 2023 Perinatal Research Imaging and Evaluation (PRIME) Centre Research Awards Recipients
| |
 |
Congratulations to WHRI Members, Dr. Charissa Patricelli and Dr. Denise Pugash who are recipients of the 2023 PRIME center Research Awards. This award provides funding for research studies focused on women's and newborn health.
Dr. Patricelli's project, "Placenta, Fetal, Brain Blood flow, and Substance Use Exposures (Pebbles)," and Dr. Pugash's project, "The Facial Profile Angle," will advance women's and newborn health research. Exciting progress ahead!
|
|
|
|
|
| |
June is Brain Injury Awareness Month:
| |
 |
Episode 13 of @WomensResearch podcast features Karen Mason and Dr. Paul Van Donkelaar, who share their unique journey in cofounding SOAR (Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research).
SOAR raises awareness and support for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors with brain injuries, combating the lack of attention compared to sports concussions through multi-disciplinary research and community engagement.
Please note that this episode discusses intimate partner violence and brain injury and may be upsetting to some.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Happy Indigenous History Month & Pride Month
| |
 |
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of June with us at the WHRI as we honor both Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. Together, we embrace the rich heritage and invaluable contributions of Indigenous communities while standing strong with the LGBTQ+ community.
Check out the PHSA's Indigenous gender and diversity course to increase your awareness, knowledge and skills.
Explore "Beyond the Binary," a WHRI project operationalizing gender equity in women's health research through inclusive dialogue and partnerships, empowering researchers and decision-makers.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
WHRI Reading List
Get up to speed with our members' latest publications!
- Catch up with Dr. Heather Noga, and Dr. Paul Yong, who's team researched, Pelvic Pain Comorbidities Associated with Quality-of-life after Endometriosis Surgery
Calling all WHRI Researchers!
Share your publications with us at whri.communications@cw.bc.ca and get featured on our publications page. We'd love to amplify your valuable work!
|
|
|
|
| |
WHRI Lunch & Learn
Check out our previous session led by Sabina Dobrer titled
"Data Life Cycle". Learn about accepted practices in DATA planning, production, description, management, pre-processing, protection, and governance
Our next series on, "What is Stats? A series of un/fortunate events" will be presented by Sabina Dobrer on June 14th at 12:00pm.
Click the "add to calendar" button below and bookmark this page for more Lunch & Learn session details.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
BC Women's Research Rounds
Save-the-Date for our next BC Women's Research Rounds on Friday June 16th at 8:00 am
Presenters: Dr. Gina Ogilvie, Amy Booth, Maryam AboMoslim, Hallie Dau, Dr. Carolyn Nakisige
Topic: Achieving Elimination of Cervical Cancer: BC’s role in improving cervical cancer screening locally and beyond Zoom details below or select the "add to calendar" button to save these into your calendar.
https://phsa.zoom.us/j/69384121933?pwd=eERJK1FrdTJYbEx1NzFrQStHbCt2UT09
Meeting ID: 693 8412 1933
Password: 581699
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Summer Scholar Series
Calling all Summer Students! Introducing the WHRI "Summer Scholar Series" We will be hosting one-hour virtual presentations from women's health researchers. Mark your calendars for the 4th Tuesday of each month and be prepared to be inspired and educated by the groundbreaking work unfolding in women's health research.
Our first session is taking place Tues June 27th, 12pm - 1pm
Presenter: Dr. Jerilynn Prior
Where: Virtually and in-person at Shaughnessy building room D308
Topic: Menstrual Cycles--the OLD the NEW and the Astonishing
Bookmark this page for more Summer Scholar Series details and register below!
If you are WHRI member supervising summer students, we encourage you to share this event amongst them!
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Tips on Data Management
| |
 |
During the last Lunch and Learn session on the "Data Life Cycle," many questions were received regarding data management. In continuation of the discussion, a compilation of some tips has been created.
Learn about:
- Standardizing your File Naming
- Organizing your Folders
The examples provided are based on the practices of the Senior Statistician, Sabina. Feel free to adjust them based on your project's needs and specifications.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
A Note On Statistical Requests
|
|
|
| |
The WHRI Statistician, Sabina Dobrer, is currently receiving a high number of urgent statistical requests. Please note that all incoming statistical requests will be triaged based on priority-level, deadline, and whether there is grant support for the services. Your requests will be undertaken only if requests are received with sufficient advanced notice. It is recommended that time-sensitive statistical requests be submitted to Sabina with as much advance notice as possible. In addition, the number of non-funded analyses will be limited to five new requests per PI per year. This excludes consultations on grant preparation, in-progress manuscripts or re-examination of previously completed analyses.
Please ensure that the research ethics application for the project in question is approved by appropriate bodies prior to submission. Note that Sabina should be added as a team member/collaborator to the research ethics application and will not be able to begin work on your request until her addition to the team within the research ethics application has been approved.
Thank you, Sabina Dobrer
Senior Statistician, Women's Health Research Institute | OBGYN / Faculty of Medicine
sabina.dobrer@cw.bc.ca
|
|
|
|
|
|
© 2023 Women's Health Research Institute, All rights reserved
|
|
|
