Jan. 15, 2026 | Relational trust in outreach with women experiencing street-involvement in British Columbia, Canada: A qualitative study
Abstract Background Women who experience street-involvement are severely underserved in health care. Outreach can address this service gap, but little is known about what constitutes gender-appropriate and effective outreach worker-client relationships in this context. Methods To explore the relational attributes of outreach, qualitative interviews were conducted with women (n = 19) enrolled in a pilot study (2017–2020) […]
Dec. 6, 2025 | The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Today on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Capacity: The Centre for Research in Community Engagement & Gender Equity remembers the 14 women killed and 10 others injured when on December 6, 1989, an armed man entered an engineering classroom at École Polytechnique de Montréal and opened fire on the […]
Sep. 22, 2025 | Emergency department violence involving patients who use unregulated substances: A systemic perspective
Abstract This paper examines emergency department staff perspectives of patient violence in the context of care provision for people who use unregulated substances. Study findings demonstrate that disconnects between what patients need and what staff can offer create conditions that contribute to staff-patient conflict and violence – disconnects situated within constrains produced by system structures. […]
Aug. 19 2025 | Capacity Director Dr. Bungay Appointed as Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies for the Faculty of Applied Science
We would like to congratulate the Director of Capacity, Vicky Bungay, on her recent appointment as the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies for the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC. In the words of the Faculty Dean, James Olson, “she brings a wealth of research experience, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record […]
Apr. 10 2025 | Navigating fragmented services: a gender-based violence (GBV) critical feminist analysis of women’s experiences engaging with health and social supports in three Canadian cities
Authors: Katherine Rudzinski1 , Lara F. Hudspith, Adrian Guta, Scott Comber, Linda Dewar, Wendy Leiper, Kim Hawkins, Lady Laforet, Rajwant Raji Mangat, Phoebe M. Long, Ingrid Handlovsky and Vicky BungayPublication: BMC Public HealthVolume: 25 What we know Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive public health crisis with devastating impacts on women’s health and well-being. Women […]
Apr. 8 2025 | Recording Posted: Emerging insights from a novel 2SLGBTQIA+ Liaison Nurse role
Presented by: Dr. Ingrid Handlovksy and Dr. Allie Slemon, University of Victoria
Apr. 8 2025 | (Competition Closed) Research Associate at Capacity
Capacity is hiring a Research Associate for a twelve-month position. Working directly with Dr. Vicky Bungay, Director of the Capacity Research Centre, the Research Associate will assume a leadership role in the recently funded project “Understanding and Enhancing System-Level Drivers of Community Services with Women Experiencing Gender-based Violence in British Columbia.” The key objectives of […]
Feb. 12 2025 | (Competition Closed) Community Research Coordinator – Terrace, BC
Dr. Bungay (Capacity Research Centre in the UBC School of Nursing) is co-leading a community-based research project with community partner organizations in Terrace, BC. and we are seeking a highly motivated Community Research Coordinator who will be a key contact for the project.
Feb. 11 2025 | Emerging insights from a novel 2SLGBTQIA+ Liaison Nurse role
Date: February 11, 2025 from 12-1pm PST Presented by: Dr. Allie Slemon, Dr. Ingrid Handlovsky Room: Online on Zoom Meetings It is well known that Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) people experience discrimination in their day-to-day lives that greatly contributes to poorer health outcomes and diminished well-being. Indeed, many 2SLGBTQIA+ […]
Nov. 11 2024 | Now Recruiting: Contraceptive care in British Columbia: A critical discourse analysis
There are many factors that contribute to contraceptive care in British Columbia (BC). This study, organized by Kerry Marshall (UBC School of Nursing) and supervisors Dr. Vicky Bungay and Dr. Lydia Wytenbroek aims to learn about how the way we talk about contraceptives may influence contraceptive care. We are currently recruiting health care providers in […]
Nov. 5 2024 | Planning a dissertation project: Perspectives of a PhD candidate, a recent grad, and a prof
Date: November 26, 2024 from 12-1pm PST Presented by: Kerry Marshall, Dr. Sunny Jiao, Dr. Fuchsia Howard Room: Online on Zoom Meetings In this session, Fuchsia Howard (Associate Professor), Kerry Marshall (PhD Candidate), and Sunny Jiao (recent PhD graduate) at the UBC School of Nursing, share experiences and discuss a variety of considerations related to […]
Oct. 10 2024 | Michelle Gagnon awarded a 2024 UBC Public Scholar Award
For her work on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy as Experienced by Patients and Providers in Canada: A Narrative Inquiry, School of Nursing doctoral student and Capacity research assistant Michelle Gagnon has been awarded a UBC Public Scholar Award. Michelle’s research “aims to understand the experiences and ways in which psychedelic-assisted therapy is practiced today, healthcare workforce preparedness, […]
Oct. 4 2024 | Opioid-specific harm reduction in the emergency department: how staff provide harm reduction and contextual factors that impact their capacity to engage in harm reduction practice
Authors: Sunny Jiao, Vicky Bungay, Emily Jenkins and Marilou Gagnon Publication: Harm Reduction Journal Volume: 21 What we know Emergency department staff are most directly involved in the care of people who use unregulated substances. As a result, they are ideally positioned to provide harm reduction interventions. Through self-administered staff surveys and one-on-one interviews, we […]
Aug. 30 2024 | Now Hiring: Program Coordinator – Community-led Outreach and Engagement
With our community partner, the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women & Families, we are seeking a Program Coordinator for the Windsor, Ontario site of the Scaling Up project. Based at the Welcome Centre in Windsor, the Coordinator will provide thoughtful daily supervision, mentorship and work direction to a team of outreach workers to support women […]
Aug. 6 2024 | Competition Closed: Outreach Workers with the CLOE Project in Windsor
We are hiring two Outreach Workers for the Windsor, Ontario site of the Scaling Up project. The Outreach Workers will work collaboratively with the team at the Welcome Centre for Women & Families to provide one-on-one, individualized outreach supports to self-identifying women in Windsor. They will build relationships with women who have experienced gender-based violence […]
Jul. 12 2024 | Dr. Vicky Bungay awarded the 2023 John McNeill Excellence in Health Research Mentorship Award
For exemplifying “a deep commitment to fostering the professional and personal development of faculty colleagues, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows in the early stages of their academic careers,”…
Mar. 8 2024 | Report: Scaling Up STRENGTH: Adaptation in a Pandemic Context
We are pleased to share findings from the “Scaling Up STRENGTH” Study (Adaptation Phase: March 2020 to May 2023). This report captures the adapting and testing of the STRENGTH model of outreach within a pandemic context in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood of Vancouver.
Feb. 15 2024 | A to Z’s and Beyond of Research Grant Navigation: Application to Study Completion
Presented by Drs. Shahin Kassam and Vicky Bungay on April 3, 2024 from 12-1pm PST (rescheduled from March 6). The presentation will be online through Zoom Meetings. Click on the title for more details.
Feb. 7 2024 | “How a Canada Research Chair’s community-led outreach model is impacting lives”
On December 6, 2023, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) ) and Canada Research Chairs (CRC) published a research story highlighting the work of Dr. Vicky Bungay in collaboration with community partner co-leads and other team members, both through the STRENGTH and Scaling Up projects…
Jan. 12 2024 | Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Look at Current Knowledge and Practices
Presented by Michelle Gagnon, RN, PhD(c), on January 31, 2024 from 12-1pm PST. The presentation will be online through Zoom Meetings. Click on the title for more details.
Oct. 27 2023 | Can Conventional Criminal Justice Systems Deliver Justice for Rape Victim-Survivors?
Presented by: Dr. Lara Hudspith on November 23, 2023 from 12-1pm PST. The presentation will be online through Zoom Meetings. Click on the title for more details.
Oct. 6 2023 | Exploring the perceived impacts of safer supply program engagement on criminalized income-generating activities: Perspectives of program clients and service providers
Presented by: Dr. Katherine Rudzinski on October 19, 2023 from 12-1pm PST. The presentation will be online through Zoom Meetings. Click on the title for more details.
Oct. 3 2023 | How an emergency department is organized to provide opioid-specific harm reduction and facilitators and barriers to harm reduction implementation: a systems perspective
Congratulations to PhD candidate Sunny Jiao on this amazing work in the area of harm reduction and healthcare. Read this excellent analysis of policy shaping care in emergency departments.
Aug. 24 2023 | (Competition Closed) Hiring Outreach Workers at Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society for the CLOE Project
As part of the Scaling Up project, the CLOE Project outreach team in Kelowna supports people who have experienced gender-based violence to engage with the outreach team in safe, respectful ways that foster trust and engagement and promote health, safety and well-being. Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society (COEFS), the project’s community co-lead, is now hiring two […]
Aug. 17 2023 | Women Impacted by Forced Migration: A Community-Academic Research Partnership
Capacity Research Seminar Series Presents “Women Impacted by Forced Migration: A Community-Academic Research Partnership” on September 21, 2023 from 12-1pm.
May 4 2023 | Competition closed – We are hiring! Community Research Coordinator for our project site in Kelowna
We are hiring a Community Research Coordinator for the Okanagan site of the Scaling Up project.
Apr. 4 2023 | Competition closed – hiring at Inner-City Women’s Initiatives Society for the STRENGTH project
Inner-City Women’s Initiatives Society (ICWIS), community co-lead for the Vancouver site (“STRENGTH”) of the national Scaling Up project is now hiring for a Community Outreach Support Worker.
Mar. 31 2023 | Competition closed – Capacity is hiring for a Graduate Academic Assistant position
Capacity is looking for a UBC graduate student to join our Vancouver-based team on the Scaling Up project, to coordinate and conduct enrollments and surveys with study participants. For more details on the position, see the full posting here. Apply by submitting a brief cover letter and CV to capacity.research@ubc.ca by April 16, 2023.
Mar. 14 2023 | Health Care Organization – Graduate Student Partnerships: Navigating Research Relationships and Engaging in Integrated Knowledge Translation through Embracing Reciprocity
Date: March 30, 2023 from 12-1pm Presented by: Cindy Elliott and Sunny Jiao Room: Online on Zoom Meetings The presentation is now available to watch here. Audio for the Q&A session is available here. In this session, Cindy Elliott, Program Director for Emergency Services at Providence Health Care, and Sunny Jiao, PhD Student at the […]
Feb. 21 2023 | #HASTalks with Dr. Vicky Bungay: Engaging with Participation, Knowledge, and Power: The Co-Creation of Intervention Research Tackling Inequities in Health and Social Care
Date: March 2, 2023 Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (ET) Presented by: #HASTalks is a seminar series curated by the Department of Health, Aging & Society at McMaster University Online Session: Register for this event via Zoom *This session is free and open to all members of the public. Please note: This session may […]
Feb. 16 2023 | KX Spotlight: Co-creating community tailored intervention programs through collaboration and trust
This month the UBC Knowledge Exchange (KX) spotlights the equity-oriented intervention programs and partnerships of Dr. Vicky Bungay and Capacity Research Unit. As director of Capacity Research Unit, Dr. Bungay works in close partnership with communities to close gaps in research and care for people regularly excluded from health and social policy programming, including women […]
Feb. 3 2023 | Capacity is hiring for a research assistant
Are you an experienced research assistant excited to work on a community-based and community-led research project? We are hiring for our national partnership project.
Dec. 17 2022 | Capacity Observes International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – Dec 17, 2022) On International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers Capacity supports the leadership of sex workers worldwide in calling attention to the violence and hate crimes perpetrated against sex workers. We remember and mourn the lives lost to this violence and hate, […]
Nov. 25 2022 | Capacity continues efforts to end gender-based violence on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 25, 2022) Today Capacity observes International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (IDEVAW), a day of action and remembrance that also marks the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the global campaign to eradicate violence against women, girls, […]
Nov. 10 2022 | Capacity Highlights the Work and Achievements of Kerry Marshall
Capacity is pleased to recognize the work and achievements of Kerry Marshall. A recipient of a Killam Doctoral Scholarship and a Four Year Doctoral Fellowship, Kerry is currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing under the research supervision of Dr. Lydia Wytenbroek and Dr. Victoria Bungay. Kerry is passionate about engaging in community-based health promotion research informed […]
Oct. 13 2022 | Nurses’ enactment of equity-promoting practices in the emergency department: A discourse analysis
Date: November 4, 2022 Presented by: Dr. Allie Slemon Room: Online on Zoom Meetings The presentation is now available to watch here. Audio for the student Q&A session is available here. Summary: In this session, Dr. Allie Slemon will present an overview of findings from her dissertation research. Her dissertation responds to the significant and […]
Sep. 30 2022 | Capacity Marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – September 30, 2022) Capacity marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, recognizing that today is a time of healing, commemoration, and courage for Survivors of residential schools and their families. We also acknowledge the strength and leadership of Indigenous communities across […]
Sep. 2 2022 | Exploring the conceptualization, operationalization, implementation, and measurement of outreach in community settings with hard-to-reach and hidden populations: A scoping review
This research, led by PhD Students Sunny Jiao and Allie Slemon at Capacity, found a lack of clarity across the literature on how outreach is conceptualized, the central elements of outreach, and how the ‘success’ of outreach is empirically measured. Working with Dr. Vicky Bungay and Dr. Adrian Guta, they have led an important piece […]
Jul. 15 2022 | Capacity Welcomes New Team Members to National Partnership Project
Capacity Research Unit is delighted to welcome Alex Werier and Natasha Kim to the team for our national partnership project, “Scaling Up Trauma and Violence Informed Outreach with Women Affected by Violence”. Alex (she/her) joins our team as the Research Assistant and will be working closely with our multi-disciplinary team to support and advance the […]
Apr. 14 2022 | (Competition Closed) Capacity is hiring a Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator – competition now closed
Do you have experience in knowledge mobilization with community-based and community-led research projects and teams? Then this position may be for you! We are looking to add to the team for our national partnership project.
Apr. 4 2022 | (Competition Closed) Capacity is hiring for a Research Assistant!
Are you an experienced research assistant excited to work on a community-based and community-led research project? We are hiring for our national partnership project.
Nov. 10 2021 | Gaps in health research related to sex work: an analysis of Canadian health research funding
This new article by Bungay et al explores gaps in health research related to sex work, and concludes that health research funding bodies need to specifically engage with sex work communities and the growing cadre of researchers to establish an evidence informed research agenda to foster the health, safety, and well-being of sex workers locally and across the globe.
Sep. 27 2021 | Analysis of the Social Consequences and Value Implications of the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS): Implications for Measurement of Discrimination in Health Research
New Publication led by PhD student Allie Slemon looks at the way discrimination is captured using the Everyday Discrimination Scale in quantitative research, and argues that we may be under-estimating these experiences. Intersectional approaches are needed to understand actual impacts of discrimination!
Aug. 8 2021 | Funding success for Capacity community research partner
Congratulations to the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society (COEFS), who were successful in receiving 2021-2022 UBC Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) funds to support ongoing partnership development with the Capacity Research Unit as part of a larger project looking at implementing an innovative outreach program to support women affected by violence. The Central Okanagan Elizabeth […]
Jun. 14 2021 | STRENGTH Pilot Study Report
We are pleased to share findings from the STRENGTH Pilot study (April 15, 2018 to January 28, 2020). Please see our report on this community-based, participatory action pilot study to design a women-led, strengths-based, trauma informed model of outreach in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood of Vancouver.
May 18 2021 | Information and Communication Technologies in Commercial Sex Work: A Double-Edged Sword for Occupational Health and Safety
In this article, published in a special issue of the journal “Social Sciences” dedicated to the occupational health and safety of sex workers, we explore the impact of the use of communication technologies on the occupational health and safety of sex workers in Canada.
Dec. 11 2020 | STRENGTH Pilot Study interim findings
We are pleased to share the first of our STRENGTH study findings. Please click on “Capacity Highlights” to view our infographic on a strengths-based outreach approach to working with women in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood in Vancouver.
Oct. 5 2020 | Peer work as precarious
Authors: Alissa Greer, Vicky Bungay, Bernie Pauly, Jane Buxton Publication: International Journal of Drug Policy Volume: 85 What we know There is limited knowledge in the literature about the experiences of people who use drugs and are engaged in peer work in harm reduction settings across BC. This is an important avenue of research […]
Oct. 5 2020 | Overcoming Adversity
Authors: Ingrid Handlovsky, Vicky Bungay, Joy Johnson, John Oliffe Publication: Sociology of Health and Illness Volume: 10 What we know There is limited knowledge about how middle-aged and older gay men manage their health, considering that they experience health inequalities caused by homophobia, heteronormativity and discrimination. It is important to explore this avenue of […]
Sep. 8 2020 | (Competition Closed) Post doctoral fellow opportunity at Capacity
The Capacity Research Unit is hiring a 0.8FTE post-doctoral fellow! Working directly with Dr. Bungay the post-doctoral fellow will collaborate with project community co-leads situated in Vancouver and Kelowna. The post-doctoral fellow will lead the implementation of intervention data collection activities within the Vancouver site and provide mentorship and training to research assistants participating in […]