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My Journey to Nepal

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Photo of an ox crossing a street. In the background, motorcycles, rickshaw, and pedestrians travel on the street.

Hello UFV, My name is Allie. I am a Global Development student and research assistant at the Community Health and Social Innovation Hub (CHASI). This winter, I left the comfort of my home, UFV classrooms, and CHASI to spend a semester interning in Nepal. Today, I am taking over the CHASI blog to share my … Read more

CHASIcast 15: Dr. Amber Gazso on addiction and aid

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A photo of Dr. Amber Gazso speaking into a microphone. Text reads "CHASIcast #15 - Addiction and Aid - Dr. Amber Gazso."

The CHASIcast tackles the complexities of addiction and aid in this episode. Join host Dr. Martha Dow and her guest Dr. Amber Gazso, Professor of Sociology at UFV’s School of Culture, Media, and Society, as they discuss the challenge of balancing government assistance with substance use, and how lessons learned in research from Ontario could … Read more

Our Charmed Circle #6

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The page is split in half horizontally, with three panels each. The top three panels, from left to right, show: 1. Fenix’s face in the mirror, tired and bed-headed from poor sleep. 2. Fenix leaning in, picking at a blemish with both hands. 3. Fenix yawning, bleary-eyed, with their face red all over from picking and pinching. The bottom three panels, from left to right, show: 1. Mary-Jo, looking wearily in the mirror, wet from the shower. 2. Mary-Jo wincing as she twists and oils her hair in preparation of the day. 3. Mary-Jo staring forward with a pained expression, hair tied up loosely.

“For my dearest friend.” Our Charmed Circle shares the story of four friends connected across the continent by a shared enthusiasm for gaming and bound by a sense of solidarity. Follow the story of Fenix, Amrita, Mary-Jo, and Zoe as they navigate the realities of online relationships and daily life. With this comic, CHASI and … Read more

CHASI highlights undergraduate research at KPU conference

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Photo of a panel of speakers on stage.

Student-driven research is a core pillar of CHASI, and undergraduate students are at the centre of all of CHASI’s work, from proposal to delivery. On March 15, the CHASI team had the opportunity to highlight the role of students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Empowering Minds: Inspiring and Showcasing Undergraduate Research conference. The conference focused on … Read more

CHASIcast 14: CHASI Does Victoria

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Photo of a group of CHASI research and assistants sitting around a table with microphones. Text reads: CHASIcast #14: CHASI Does Victoria.

The CHASIcast takes a walk on the wild side! Join producer Emma Hones (substitute hosting for Dr. Martha Dow) and four of her esteemed colleagues and friends from CHASI’s Research and Knowledge Mobilization teams as they discuss the fun – and serious – sides of our recent trip to Victoria. The CHASIcast is available to … Read more

Marking Black History Month beyond February

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Illustration of a calendar showing February. It reads "Black History Month" at the top. Each day has an illustration of a different person or event on it.

Black History Month is over, but we’re taking the time to look back on some of the important figures and dates throughout the month. While we mark Black history for one month, it’s important to acknowledge the massive contributions of these Black individuals and countless more every day of the year. This illustration by CHASI … Read more

CHASI recognized at B.C. Legislature

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Members of the CHASI team pose in front of flags in the BC Legislature Building

On February 22, CHASI had the incredible honour of being introduced in the B.C. legislature by the Honourable Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission and B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food. We are incredibly thankful to Minister Alexis, her staff, and the team at the legislature who made this happen. With UFV’s 50th anniversary just around … Read more

International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust

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Black and white illustration of many Romani people of all ages. A black and red monster with many teeth and eyes is in the foreground seemingly ready to devour them all.

Today is the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. CHASI artist Sharon Strauss took the time to create these two powerful pieces in commemoration. Porajmos: “The Devouring” A Romani word coined by Ian Hancock in 1990, “The Devouring” encapsulates the deliberate and often forgotten genocide of the Romani people … Read more

CHASIcast 13: Dr. Iris Lesser on post-partum bodies and activity

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Photo of Dr. Iris Lesser sitting at a podcasting microphone, holding up a poster recruiting participants to one of her studies. A quote overlaying the bottom of the image reads: “Not only are you trying to figure out how to raise a child, but there’s also this societal expectation that you figure it out, and you turn back into who you were.”

This episode, the CHASIcast examines the post-partum complications they don’t talk about. Join host Dr. Martha Dow, along with Dr. Iris Lesser, associate professor at UFV’s School of Kinesiology (and CHASI faculty associate), as they examine how pregnancy and physical activity interact, in a world that’s all about body image. The CHASIcast is available to … Read more