Seeking Community Advisors for Project on Chlamydia Testing and Management Needs of Disabled IBPOC Trans and Cis Queer Women, Femme-Presenting, Two-Spirit, and Non-binary Individuals in Ontario (10 month term)
The Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) is seeking up to three (3) community advisors based in Ontario to support a new qualitative research project focused on the needs of disabled Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC) trans and cis women, femme-presenting Two-Spirit, and non-binary individuals, in terms of access to chlamydia screening and testing. As Community Advisors, individuals will provide guidance for project activities and have the opportunity to learn about community-based research approaches.
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) promotes the health of sexual and gender minority communities through research and intervention development. CBRC’s core pillars — community-led research, knowledge exchange, network building, and leadership development — position the organization as a thought leader, transforming ideas into actions that make a difference in our communities. CBRC was incorporated in 1999 and is a non-profit charitable organization. Our main office is located in Vancouver, and we have satellite offices located in Edmonton, Toronto, and Halifax. CBRC has documented a list of research principles that act as a framework - you can view them here.
Maryam Khan (she/her) who identifies as a disabled South Asian cis queer Muslim woman is the Principal Investigator (PI) working with CBRC on the project. She is also an assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. Maryam’s cumulative social work practice has ranged in interdisciplinary non-profit (community, clinical, youth justice, mental health and addictions, and educational) settings with a myriad of individuals and communities (people with acquired brain injuries, queer youth, women experiencing violence). She is a community-based researcher working on a multitude of projects on the topics of: families of queer Muslims, health and social needs of queer Muslims, and health and wellbeing of 2SLGBTIQ+ communities in Canada. In Feb. 2021, Maryam won a nationally competitive, CBRCanada Emerging Community-Based Researcher award, from Community-Based Research Canada. For more information, visit this page.
Background
Marginalized groups in society such as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour (IBPOC) who are disabled trans and cis queer women, femme-presenting Two-Spirit and non-binary individuals have been overlooked in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) research and literature, and have unmet needs when it comes to accessing chlamydia screening and testing.
Historically, research on chlamydia has focused on cis men and women only, failing to examine the experiences of people marginalized by intersecting systems of oppression. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in Canada but, to date, we have found no other research projects focused on IBPOC disabled trans and cis queer women and femme-presenting Two-Spirit and non-binary people’s access to chlamydia testing in Ontario.
To address this gap, Maryam in collaboration with CBRC, is leading a community-based research project to engage community members through qualitative interviews and storytelling. The research project team and the community advisors will work collaboratively.
Role of Community Advisors
Community Advisors play a key role in the project, working closely with the research project team, providing feedback and insights on development of interview guides, promotional materials, data analysis, and research outputs (e.g. community reports). The time commitment is for 10 months (1-3 hours/month), starting at the end of May 2024.
Mandatory Requirements of Community Advisors:
- Identify as Indigenous, and/or Black, and/or People of Colour (IBPOC)
- Identify as disabled (we recognize an expansive understanding of disability and respect people’s right to self-identify how they choose including using terms like crip, mad, spoonie, etc.)
- Identify as a queer woman (trans or cis) and/or a femme-presenting Two-Spirit person, or non-binary person
- 16 or older
- Living in Ontario, Canada
- Interest in or experience with chlamydia screening or testing in Canada
- Able to communicate in English and/or French
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Available for 1-3 hours per month from May 2024 to March 2025 for:
- Training and orientation (likely to be self-paced)
- Meetings every other month which can be attended by Zoom or phone
- Review of documents in between meetings
We are especially interested in Community Advisors who bring any of the following lived experiences:
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Immigrant, newcomer, refugee, and non-status individuals
(please note, you will never be asked to disclose your immigration status) - Individuals living in rural and remote areas
Benefits to Community Advisors:
- Honorarium of $1,000 for your active participation
- Opportunity to meet and connect with other disabled IBPOC trans and cis queer women, femme-presenting Two-Spirit, and non-binary people
- Opportunity to be part of a community-based research project
- Project team’s gratitude and a reference letter
- Opportunity to, if desired, be named in public-facing documents (e.g. community reports, presentations)
How to Apply:
Please send a short statement of interest to Malek Yalaoui, (they/them) Research Coordinator at [email protected] by Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Your statement can include your lived experiences, explain why you are interested in getting involved in a project about access to chlamydia screening and testing, discuss any past experience in research and/or community settings or include anything else you’d like us to know.
Please submit the statement of interest in whatever format you prefer, such as:
- Written email or document sent as an attachment (2-3 paragraphs, maximum 500 words)
- Short video (maximum 3 minutes)
- Audio recording (maximum 3 minutes)
We will start to review submissions on May 17, 2024, and we will hold follow-up conversations with individuals shortly afterwards. Everyone will be informed by May 24, 2024.
If this process presents barriers, please get in touch with Malek Yalaoui (they/them) via email with the subject line Access: Community Advisors or leave us a voicemail at 604-568-7478 with your name and a reference to “the Chlamydia project” to discuss alternative formats for submitting an application.
