Karen and Lily discuss their experiences collaborating on research projects at the UBC IDEA Lab related to aging and dementia in different settings, such as long-term care and the hospital. One example they raise is the dementia-friendly video project which introduced dementia-friendly videos to older adults with moderate to severe dementia in care settings to support their psychosocial well-being. Another example they raise is the Overcoming Loneliness project. The team interviewed residents in long-term care remotely about their experience of loneliness during COVID-19. They referred to the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and found that residents had challenges answering the questions on the scale. They then came up with an idea to let people, especially healthcare providers, know about the challenges for residents using the scale and to propose recommendations by publishing and presenting at international conferences. Their paper was awarded Publication of the Year 2023 by Health Policy PIA of the International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART) and ImpactBC Scholarship in Health Care Research and Development 2024 by UBC Health, recognizing its implications in practice.

Vivica Ellis from the Centre for Family Equity and Dr. Lea Caragata from the UBC School of Social Work discuss how their participatory action research has helped to address family poverty in British Columbia (BC). They speak to several projects, like the Making Mothers Matter project which explored how low-income mothers’ health and wellbeing are affected by childcare access, and the Justice at Work project which examined the impacts of COVID-19 on income and the precarious labour and employment of lone-mothers in BC. The participation of women and gender diverse peer researchers allows a greater understanding of the diverse experiences of lone mothers and has resulted in sound public policy recommendations grounded in lived experiences.

As a Professor Emeritus at UBC's School of Social Work, Dr. Vedan reflects on his career, from his beginnings in the Canadian military to his academic achievements and community leadership. He discusses the ongoing impact of intergenerational trauma, the importance of addressing systemic inequities, and the complexities of Indigenous identity in contemporary Canada. This episode offers a powerful narrative of community resilience, healing, and the continuous advancement for equity.

Dr. Barbara Lee, Host, introduces our new podcast called The Knowledge Exchange: A Partnership-in-Action Podcast, which highlights community-engaged partnerships. This season will showcase the inspiring work within and outside the University of British Columbia’s School of Social Work. We have an incredible line-up of faculty members and their community partners who will share their projects and the impact of their joint work together.