Beyond the Binary in BC
Taking a patient-oriented and trauma-informed approach to building partnerships and dialogue to incorporate gender equity into women’s health research
Dedicated women’s health research is a relatively recent milestone. Yet, people across the gender spectrum benefit from research framed as “women’s” health. Available guidance for including trans, non-binary, and intersex people in this work has not acknowledged the social, historical and political contexts that led to centering cisgender women (women whose gender aligns with their gender assigned at birth) in “women’s” health research.
In 2019, the WHRI began featuring examples of gender-equitable research practice through our Beyond the Binary web stories. These stories showcase experiences of researchers Dr. Michelle Chan and Dr. Lori Brotto in creating inclusive health research environments. In 2020, the WHRI saw a significant increase in requests for language consultations on grants, recruitment materials, and data collection tools. The next step became clear – a larger conversation with health research stakeholders, which led to the application to Michael Smith Health Research BC for the Beyond the Binary project. Beyond the Binary is a multi-stakeholder, participatory project intended to inform guidance for gender-equitable practice within BC’s women’s health research community. Through collaboration with people from trans, non-binary, intersex, Two-Spirit, queer, research, health, ethics, and academic communities, we aim to develop context-specific guidance, resources, and recommendations for researchers and health decision-makers.
With an emergent design theme, the project aims to:
- Understand the current landscape of gender-equity resources through a literature review and environmental scan.
- Establish and convene a Community Steering Committee to support patient-oriented and trauma informed approach to co-creation.
- Engage research stakeholders in three training opportunities: Intro to Gender Diversity, Trans Inclusion 101, and Trauma and Resiliency informed Practice for Researchers and Evaluators, to build champions within the research community.
- Host knowledge exchange events to facilitate dialogue and recommendations on gender-equitable research practice among diverse stakeholders and communities.
The WHRI, alongside other health research stakeholders, have organizational commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion. These commitments are not attainable without examining institutionalized activities and practices that perpetuate colonial, cissexist, heterocentric, ableist, patriarchal white supremacy. We are excited that Beyond the Binary will contribute to this conversation and be the catalyst for the development of gender-equitable research practices across BC.
Dr. Angela Kaida
Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University
Canada Research Chair, Tier II in Global Perspectives in HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health
Scientific Advisor, Women’s Health Research Institute
Beverley Pomeroy
Patient Public Engagement Lead
Independent Researcher
Trauma & Resiliency Informed Educator, Fraser Health Authority, Mental Health and Substance Use
Executive Board Member, Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research, and SPOR Evidence Alliance
Julia Santana Parrilla, Project Researcher, Beyond the Binary
Saide Stephenson, Research Assistant, Beyond the Binary
Maya Kevorkova, Research Assistant, Beyond the Binary
Melissa Nelson, Communications Coordinator, WHRI
Nicole Prestley, Primary Contact, Knowledge Translation Manager, WHRI Nicole.Prestley@cw.bc.ca
Dr. Stephanie Skourtes, Interim Knowledge Translation Manager, WHRI
Dr. Lori Brotto, Executive Director, WHRI
Tamara Baldwin, Director, Office of Regional and International Community Engagement, UBC
Dr. Skye Barbic, Research Lead, Foundry
Wendy Bond, Research Ethics Coordinator, Compliance & Outreach, UBC
Lindsay Carpenter, Trainee, University of Northern British Columbia
Dr. Michelle Chan, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia
Laurel Evans, Director, Research Ethics, UBC
Dr. Liisa Galea, Head of the Women’s Health Research Cluster, UBC
Dr. Lorraine Greaves, Senior Investigator, Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health
Faith Jabs, Trainee, University of British Columbia
AJ Murray, Knowledge Translation Coordinator, Population Health Promotion, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
Dr. Ann Pederson, Director, Population Health Promotion, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
Dr. Wendy Robinson, Associate Director, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Dr. Caroline Sanders, Associate Professor, University of Northern British Columbia
Dr. Gavin C.E. Stuart, Professor and Interim Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia
Dr. Saraswathi Vedam, Lead Investigator at The Birthplace Lab
The Beyond the Binary project is funded by a Michael Smith Health Research BC Convening and Collaborating award.
