The Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) presented seven research projects at the Pacific Sociological Association conference in San Diego from March 21 to 24.
A triumphant first group conference for the hub was also made special by the keen interest into the CHASI model. A unique model for research, director Martha Dow calls CHASI a “gem.” One of the presentations made by Dow and fellow colleagues Chelsea Klassen, Jeff Mijo-Burch, Imran Tatla and Chloe Raible described CHASI and demonstrated its success to fellow universities.
The other presentations gave the research and knowledge mobilization teams at CHASI the opportunity to share their findings in front of a crowd of academics.
“The main purpose was to give the students an opportunity to go to a conference,” lead researcher Chelsea Klassen said. “We are fortunate that UFV does provide some funding for that. The second reason was to showcase their amazing work that they have put into the research projects.”
Dow, Klassen and Mijo-Burch also presented on challenges in the space of education, specifically LGBTQ2+ acceptance.
Miranda Erickson’s presentation was in the same area, focusing on anti-SOGI claims and the well-being of the LGBTQ2+ community at UFV.
Student research assistant Lynsie Beaulieu presented on the representation of older individuals in the media during COVID-19. Beyond having the opportunity to present, Beaulieu enjoyed the conference atmosphere.
“It was really cool sitting next to my colleagues and professor and in engaging in conversation,” Beaulieu said. “Also hearing what people are doing in the United States and drawing parallels to some of the activism we are taking part in at UFV and the Fraser Valley, and being able to connect with them afterwards and to hopefully continue a relationship.”
Student research assistant Ekaterina Marenkov presented about advancing food equity in Abbotsford and re-imagining the referral system of the Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association.
Research assistant Carlanna Thompson presented on a year-long project that searched for missing residential school names from Haida Gwaii. After going through archives and creating a database, the project was given to the Haida Gwaii community. Thompson’s presentation was met with both respect for the history of residential schools and shock for those who were not familiar.
Dow also received the 2024 Distinguished Contribution to Sociological Praxis award at the conference. But for her, that was not the highlight of the experience. It was when Raible was standing next to Dow and proclaimed “I have found my people.”
With an invigorated love for research and a positive group trip completed, CHASI hopes to make the trip to the conference an annual adventure.
“CHASI has made a big difference for all of us,” Beaulieu said.
CHASI, which began in April 2020, is a community driven entity that acts as a strategic partner to conduct research that benefits social, emotional, physical and economic health of those living in the Fraser Valley, with some research extending to a national scope. Undergraduate, masters and alumni students make up CHASI. The hub receives project funding from various national, provincial and local level community partners. In its short time, CHASI has been an integral piece of the post-secondary educational experience for its members.
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