Amplifying Youth Voice in Research for Social Change: The Youth Wellness Lab

Presented by Cam Bautista, Dr. Stephanie Begun, Hajar Seiyad, Ayla Arhinson, and Bryn King.

The Youth Wellness Lab is a hub for academic researchers, community-based partners, and young people, aged 29 and under, to collaborate on research and change-making efforts aimed at improving youth’s health and wellbeing. This presentation will describe the development of the lab and the role of youth and community in setting research priorities and responding to critical issues. We will also provide examples of youth- and community-led projects that are representative of this work.

The experience of being a young person is not a monolithic identity. To reflect this, the YWL engages youth whose identities and lived experiences are too often excluded from but are most impacted by issues of access and equity across public systems. By engaging young people from disparate backgrounds, the lab reinforces the truth that young people are the best and only people to speak about their experiences and lives. Most importantly, by fostering the growth and scholarship of our youth researchers, the YWL is contributing to the development of cross-system inquiry, collaboration, and transformation.

This is the first webinar of Community-Based Research Canada’s e-Learning series, Community-Based Research Responding to Crises Series.

Click on the Learn More link for details and to register!