Research projects

Participatory Action Research with female sex-trafficking survivors living with HIV/AIDS in Nepal

Faculty Associates: Geetanjali Gill & Rita Dhungel
Funder: New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF)

In this project, we are exploring the intersectional factors that lead to women's vulnerability to trafficking in 2 districts in Nepal. We are also identifying the challenges that women survivors face when they return and try to reintegrate into their communities in Nepal. We use visual arts-based methods to centre and amplify the voices, perspectives, and knowledge of women co-researchers. 

Championing gender equality and inclusive education in Sierra Leone

Faculty/Research Associates: Geetanjali Gill, Catherine Liao, Karen Sharkey
Funder: Global Affairs Canada, Development Impact Window

In this 4-year development project, we aim to increase the realization of rights to gender-responsive and inclusive education, especially for girls and young women with disabilities, in 2 districts in Northern Sierra Leone. We contribute to this goal by: Improving the agency and abilities of girls, boys, and youth with disabilities, especially girls and young women, to access gender-responsive and inclusive resources, and challenge barriers to education, harmful gender norms, and stigma in targeted communities; and increasing support for the education and life skills of girls, boys, and youth with disabilities, especially girls and young women, amongst families and communities in targeted communities and Canadian organizations.

Employment and Deskilling: Lived Experiences of Racialized Immigrants in Medium-sized Urban Centres in Lower Mainland, BC

Faculty Associate: Rita Dhungel
Funder: Insight Development Grant

Using narrative inquiry, the study aims to critically understand the experiences of skilled immigrants living in Mainland British Columbia. The first phase of the study, a systematic literature review, has been completed. We are currently in the process of gathering and analyzing data simultaneously.

TRANSFORM: Engaging Youth for Social Change

Faculty/Research Associates: Geetanjali Gill
Funder: SSHRC Partnership Grant

In this 5-year project, I will be using visual and arts-based methods to explore the perceptions and experiences of youth in Sierra Leone concerning gender transformative change, and the role of Sierra Leonean youth as changemakers and advocates for greater equity and inclusion in their communities and schools. 

Using a participatory, gender-transformative approach to support community-led climate change adaptation and mitigation in vulnerable regions in Bangladesh

Faculty/Research Associates: Geetanjali Gill & Catherine Liao
Funder: New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF)

In this 4-year participatory action research project, we explore the vulnerabilities of individuals and groups in Bangladesh to climate change. We use visual and arts-based methods with approximately 50 co-researchers from 4 locations in Bangladesh. Co-researchers also plan and carry out mitigation and adaptation measures in their communities, and advocate with relevant stakeholders in and outside of Bangladesh.  

Co-Creating contextually appropriate comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) teaching approaches for 9–15-year-old learners in the upper east region of Ghana (CATALYST)

Faculty/Research Associates: Catherine Liao and Geetanjali Gill in partnership with the University of Allied Health & Sciences, Ghana, and Right to Play, Ghana
Funder: International Development and Research Centre, Canada

Adolescents and youth in Ghana’s Upper East Region face limited access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information and services, contributing to high rates of adolescent pregnancy, child marriage, and gender-based violence (GBV). These challenges disproportionately impact girls and young women, undermining their ability to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Additionally, there remains a lack of clarity and consistency regarding the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in school settings, particularly around culturally responsive and age-appropriate pedagogical approaches.

Spatial Belonging 

Faculty Associate: Tannaz Zargarian 

Through spatial intersectionality, we explore how multiply marginalized university students navigate spatial belonging within university institutions. Using narrative inquiry, we examined how these individuals negotiate and navigate belonging across different spaces in higher education.

Sustainable fashion environmental scan in the Lower Mainland / Transparency matrix for sustainable fashion in the Lower Mainland

Project lead: Stefania Pizzirani

The trillion-dollar clothing sector is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time, and the scale of this challenge is ever growing. This research aims to explore the challenges and opportunities for the sustainable clothing and textile waste management processes in Canada.

Understanding gender-based violence of flood affected women in Madhesh Province in Nepal

Faculty Associates: Rita Dhungel
Funder: SSHRC Explore Grant

This research project focused on identifying scholarly gaps in academic activities by examining the gender-based vulnerabilities of women affected by floods in the Madhesh region of Nepal. Two focus group discussions were conducted with flood-affected women to understand their experiences of gender-based violence.

Gender-based justice and transformative masculinity: From local to global perspectives (Conference)

Faculty Associates: Rita Dhungel
Funder: SSHRC Explore Grant

The conference, scheduled for February 12-13 in Kathmandu, Nepal, convened academics, practitioners, researchers, activists, and community stakeholders to engage in a knowledge exchange on gender justice and transformative masculinity while exploring potential avenues for collaboration in research and community-building opportunities.

Understanding the implications of flooding on gender justice in Madhesh Province in Nepal

Faculty Associates: Rita Dhungel
Funder: SSHRC Explore Grant

Using a qualitative framework, two focus groups (n = 20) were conducted with flood-affected women living in the Dhanusa District. The study found that flooding exacerbated existing gender injustices and increased their vulnerability to socio-economic marginalization. 

Post secondary to work: Experiences of Punjabi international students in BC

Faculty/Research Associates: Joy Enyinnaya
Funder: New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF)

This study uses a longitudinal approach to understand Punjabi international students experience after graduating from a post-secondary institution in BC. The study relies on degradation (amalgamation of education  and migration) framework which highlights the ways international students use education as a pathway to migrate to other countries. This study is designed as a multiple case study.

Images of Newcoming

Faculty Associates: Brianna Strumm & Amea Wilbur

This project engages with and brings local newcomer women together, and highlights photos that are taken by participants which express their perceptions of both belonging and exclusion in Canada.  These photos stimulate dialogue and understanding of what it means to be a newcomer in BC, as well as what resources are needed for those who are settling here.

Trauma-Informed Pedagogy: Experiences of Educators in British Columbia

Faculty Associates: Brianna Strumm & Amea Wilbur
Funder: SSHRC Explore Grant

 In phase one of this project, interviews and focus groups were conducted with educators across 6 different teaching institutions in British Columbia, Canada. The study illustrates the complex understanding that instructors have about trauma and the dilemmas they face in supporting students affected by trauma within higher education institutions. 

Leave no one behind: Empower persons with albinism 

Project leads: Dr. Geetanjali Gill & Catherine Liao

A collaborative project between UFV and the Albinism Royal Foundation focuses on empowering women and girls with albinism in Sierra Leone, Africa. These women and girls, who experience marginalization and stigmatization, will be empowered to be leaders, role models, and advocates for the rights of persons with albinism and gender equality.

Archway food bank exploratory project

Project team: Jeffrey Orr & Jessica Price

This exploratory research project seeks to find ways to strengthen the existing services of the Archway Food Bank and identify innovative ways by which the Food Bank can expand its services into new areas in support of its clientele, and other groups such as the Indigenous community, new Canadians, temporary residents, international students, and refugees. 

Participatory research with adolescents in Mali and Senegal

Project leads: Dr. Geetanjali Gill & Right to Play

Human trafficking and commodification of sexual services and labour exploitation

Project lead: Dr. Hayli Millar