| The Participatory Research Newsletter |
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This monthly newsletter aims to highlight the participatory research initiatives emerging from Participatory Research @ McGill (PRAM), and Community Information, Empowerment and Transparency (CIET), as well as share new opportunities for projects, courses, funding, and more!
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Note, the PRAM newsletter is offered in the following languages:
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An ever busy team, below are a few updates from the PRAM/CIET network.
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Monthly Meeting
Making Films: Nunavimmiut Teaching and Learning
The PRAM team unites monthly to provide project updates, present research protocols, practice dissertations defences, and more.
This month, Lisi Etok, Pasha Partridge, and Neevie Simigak, alongside mentors, Glenn Gear and Michelle Smith PhD (c) shared their collaborative process of making films for Nunavik based post-secondary teaching and learning in the arts.
For over four months, Inuit youth with ties to Nunavik, joined artist, animator, educator Glenn Gear (Inuk, Nunatsiavut) and filmmaker, educator Michelle Smith PhD (c) (Red River Michif) to tell their own stories using film and animation. The process took place at the Cinema Communications department space at Dawson College and involved a series of hands-on workshops on stop motion animation, sound recording, camera operation, scriptwriting, narration, editing, use of archives and more. Elder, artist and educator Qumaq Iyaituk joined the process virtually from Ivujivik, Nunavik. These workshops were part of an arts-based research process led by Michelle Smith PhD (c) to inform the creation of an Inuit Arts and Culture College Degree program in Nunavik.
Thank you again to all for sharing your inspiring work with us!
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Presentation
Fuzzy cognitive map training: Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment
This month, Dr Gwyneth MacMillan and PRAM team member, Dr Iván Sarmiento, presented a workshop on the use of fuzzy cognitive mapping for scientists part of McGill University's Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment (CINE). Their aim was to inform other natural scientists about using this methodology in their own research endeavours.
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Project Update
Building on strength: using local knowledge to inform evidence-based community-led decision-making for COVID-19 recovery
It’s been a busy couple of months for this project. In an intense period of training and piloting, Khalid Omer and Umaira Ansari (in Bauchi) and Dr Anne Cockcroft (remotely) worked with the local research team. The team built their skills to facilitate fuzzy cognitive mapping with different community groups about the factors worsening their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The maps created during piloting already show the enormous impact of the pandemic control measures (like lockdown and social distancing) on people’s lives, with increasing poverty and hunger and disruption of family and community support networks. Dr Loubna Belaid facilitated a great session on equity, diversity and inclusion for the whole research team, with team members joining from Colombia, Mexico, Canada, Bauchi, and Botswana.
After a break to pilot, train, and implement the first part of the household survey on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, the busy Bauchi team will complete the fuzzy cognitive mapping exercise in communities in Darazo LGA.
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| Announcement |
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| Cellphilm Contest |
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Congratulations are in order! McGill's International Cellphilm Festival was held this month, with submissions from around the world. The team from Bauchi submitted three cellphilms for consideration, which you can view below.
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This final video, Our Schools Our Education, submitted by Tijjani Mohammed Sidi, was selected to win a prize at the Festival!
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| Ethan Alexander |
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My name is Ethan Alexander and I am a third-year undergraduate Cognitive Sciences student at McGill. I was born in the US but chose to study at McGill because I love Montréal.
I joined the department in May to complete an Honours research project with Dr. Andersson and Dr. Sarmiento on the effects of social media on the development of mental health labels. I am very interested in learning more about the social and cultural aspects of mental illness.
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| Alex Chung |
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Alex Chung is a medical student at McGill University. With a strong background in psychology, Alex is passionate about advocating for mental health and fostering inclusive communities, particularly within the LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and migrant communities.
This summer, Alex is collaborating with Alexandra Yacovelli and Ethan Alexander. The project focuses on examining the effects of social media on mental health labels. In parallel, they are also delving into the influence of AI on shaping both society and the field of medicine. By exploring these topics, the team aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between digital platforms, mental health, and the evolving landscape of healthcare practices.
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| Eddy Taguedong |
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Eddy Taguedong is a second-year medical student at McGill University. She is passionate about health equity and advocating for more vulnerable populations.
Eddy joined the research team in June and will work alongside Dr. Ghadirian and Dr. Cockroft on an umbrella review analyzing the factors influencing adolescent sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan African countries. Coming from a sub-Saharan African country and having experienced health services in this setting, this work profoundly resonates with her and motivates her to engage in this research!
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| Alexandra Yacovelli |
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Alexandra Yacovelli is currently completing her medical degree at McGill University. As a strong advocate for Whole-Person Care, Alexandra is dedicated to ensuring that healthcare is accessible. patient-centered and respects the individuals’ treatment choices.
She joined the research team in May and will be working with Ethan Alexander and Alex Chung on both the effects of social media on the development of mental health labels and how AI is shaping society and the practice of medicine. These subjects passionate her deeply as she believes that social media and AI will shape our society’s future and have a very important impact on health.
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| REGISTRATION OPEN |
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| Fall 2023 Courses - McGill University |
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| FMED 603: Foundations of Participatory Research |
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| Online | Professor Neil Andersson |
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FMED 603 is a one-credit research course offered by the Department of Family Medicine at McGill. Foundations of participatory research covers the science and discipline of partnerships underlying research, research governance, ownership of research products and relationships behind research objectives and methods. Founding principles include respectful partnerships, cultural safety, and intercultural dialogue. The course introduces participatory frameworks and methods for co-design and co-management of research, participatory media and integrated knowledge translation, quality improvement, and adaptive management of services.
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| FMED 604: Advanced Participatory Research in Health |
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| In-person sessions | Professor Neil Andersson |
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FMED 604 is a three-credit research course offered by the Department of Family Medicine at McGill. Advanced participatory research reflects on the science and discipline of partnerships underlying research. It is concerned with research governance, ownership of research products and relationships behind research objectives and methods. As a discipline or method set, participatory research is co-creation of knowledge through equitable partnerships with people affected by the issue or who will act on its results – patients, health professionals, policy makers, community members or communities.
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Classes begin August 30th. Register now!
For more information about the courses, please contact Michaela Field at michaela.field@mcgill.ca
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Highlighted below are some of the most recent publications from the industrious PRAM team:
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Authors: Loubna Belaid & Neil Andersson
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Authors: Marie-Catherine Gagnon-Dufresne, Iván Sarmiento, Geneviève Fortin, Neil Andersson & Kate Zinszer
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