Martha Dow

CHASI projects take international stage at Pacific Sociological Association conference

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Group photo of 15 members of the CHASI team posing in an airport at the end of the trip home. Many are wearing navy blue sweatshirts with CHASI written on them in orange letters.

Students and staff from the Community Health and Social Innovation Hub returned to the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) conference for the second year in a row. The group of 16 CHASI representatives shared experiences and findings from CHASI’s work while learning from sociologists and practitioners in related fields over the course of four days (March … Read more

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

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

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

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