Chelsea Klassen

CHASI research shows VisionQuest program significantly reduces criminal recidivism

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Cover of the report, including it's full title and an aerial photo of the VisionQuest facility

Researchers at UFV’s Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub share their findings from a three-year follow-up study of recidivism among highly prolific offenders admitted to VisionQuest’s substance use treatment program in Logan Lake, B.C. The report, prepared by Dr. Darryl Plecas, Dr. Martha Dow, and Chelsea Klassen, MA, found that the program demonstrated capacity … Read more

UFV gathers in solidarity with Afghan women

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Photo of members of the CHASI team standing together together holding protest signs, talking to one another as they wait for the speeches to begin.

On Thursday, August 15th, members of the UFV and Fraser Valley community gathered to commemorate three years since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. Women in Afghanistan have been banned from attending university since December 2022 and high school since September 2021. Now, girls older than Grade 3 are banned from attending to school. This event … Read more

CHASI contributes knowledge to B.U.I.L.D.S. Project

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A video still of a title card that reads "Community Based Research Guide, Presented by CHASI"

The Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub was pleased to partner with DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society to support their BIPOC Unified Inclusive Leading Organization Development for South Fraser (B.U.I.L.D.S.) project. The project supports “grassroots BIPOC organizations to help grow their services and impact in the community by accessing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) … Read more

CHASI team shares research at Pacific Sociological Association

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Photo of the 12 members of the CHASI team on stage posing for a photo. Dr. Martha Dow holds an award certificate. Four people are wearing CHASI-branded sweatshirts, and all have conference name badges on.

The Community Health and Social Innovation Hub (CHASI) had the privilege of attending the 95th Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) Conference in San Diego, California, from March 21–24, 2024. CHASI’s team of faculty, students, and staff was well represented, with 12 members of the team in attendance, and most giving presentations. The conference was an excellent … 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 12: Chelsea Klassen on the academic folklore of Taylor Swift

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Photo showing Chelsea Klassen and Dr. Martha Dow speaking into microphones. A quote attributed to Chelsea reads: “Looking at celebrity and controversy, how do we conceptualise the controversy that happened with the VMAs? How do we understand heroes and villains in popular culture? How do we talk about race?” End of quote. Beneath, Chelsea’s titles are listed as “Lead Researcher, Community Health and Social Innovation Hub” and “Sessional Instructor, School of Social Justice and Global Stewardship.”

The new year brings something sweeter than fiction, as the CHASIcast examines the surprisingly academic folklore hidden behind a pop culture juggernaut. Join host Dr. Martha Dow and CHASI’s lead researcher Chelsea Klassen as they tackle the sociological and psychological facets of Taylor Swift’s work, and how her fearless advocacy and engaging relationship with her … Read more

CHASIcast: Fatema D. Ahmadi on women’s rights in Afghanistan

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Photo of a laptop Fatema D. Ahmadi on a Zoom video call, taken from over the shoulder of Chelsea Klassen, who is looking at the laptop. A quote reads: "“You cannot just come and cut us and say, ‘okay, these people — with their idea of human rights, with the idea of democracy — we cut them, now there is nothing, so they are removed, so we can just do whatever we want’ ... We have a root there. We have strong roots that just start flourishing one day. And these are the everyday efforts of different people, different groups. I think it’s watering those roots ‘til just one day they come up and they show resistance.” — Fatema D. Ahmadi, Fellow and Adjunct Professor at American University, School of Public Affairs"

As part of CHASI’s ongoing series on the current realities of life in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, we are honoured to welcome Fatema D. Ahmadi to the CHASIcast. Ahmadi is a Fellow and Adjunct Professor at American University, School of Public Affairs in Washington, DC, and is dedicated to advocating for human rights, particularly women’s … Read more

UFV Walk-out in support of Afghan women

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Group photo of several dozen people, many holding signs in support of the women of Afghanistan. They are lined up to pose for a photo.

To mark two years since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, CHASI and members of the Afghan community staged a university walk-out. The focus was on supporting Afghan women, who have been banned from attending high school since September 2021 and university since December 2022. Afghan activist Sahar Maqsoodi joined the event, sharing the realities of … Read more