Helen Brown RN, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Nursing
Faculty of Applied Science
What are your key research interests?
My program of research brings critical perspectives to studies aimed at improving health and social equity for rural and remote Indigenous communities. Using community-based and participatory methods I have worked with First Nations communities across Western Canada on projects that align with community priorities around health, wellness, cultural continuity and language revitalization. I am currently the lead on a program of research, in partnership with the Correctional Service of Canada and the Tsilhqot'in First Nation, which investigates impacts of a prison-community partnership program on Indigenous inmate and community health, wellbeing and rehabilitation. My other projects include collaborating with interdisciplinary partners on exploring the intersections of health and justice, increasing community collaboration within nursing education, and maternal and child health for rural and remote women.
What drew you to working with Transformative Health & Justice?
I have worked in partnership with Indigenous communities for over 15 years on community-based and participatory projects and have been privileged to have had many teachers and mentors who have helped me see the integral connection between history, health, well-being, justice, equity and the socio-cultural context of peoples' lives. This emerging Cluster is creating a powerful network of academics, external partners and community members to generate a research agenda that can incite new directions for tackling the inequities that create barriers to health and justice within the ongoing Canadian colonial context. Our transformative intent is reflected through our commitment to participatory and community-engaged research as the foundation for our work together.