Research, Evaluation,
Policy (REP)
- Please include a brief intro to the team and its purpose
- Overview of the team structure and links to team member bios
- 200-300 word count for this section
- Example:
Our dedicated Research, Evaluation, and Policy (REP) Team at First Peoples Wellness Circle (FPWC) is an experienced group committed to advancing FPWC’s programs and initiatives by supporting research, analyzing processes and outcomes, as well as shaping policies. They work collaboratively and lead work that aims to enhance the mental wellness of First Peoples.
Research
In research, the REP team focuses on the holistic mental wellness needs and strengths of First Peoples communities and the healing, wellness, and mental wellness barriers they face. By blending the FNMWCF with contemporary research methods, FPWC strives to ensure that our work and strategies are founded on research that is culturally relevant and evidence-based.
Evaluation
A crucial component of our work, our Evaluation team uses in-person engagements, as well as data-driven insights and analyses, to ensure FPWC is responsive, effective, and aligned with the mental wellness needs of First Peoples in Canada.
Policy
Policy development is another key area of FPWC’s work. In order to shape mental wellness policies that support and uplift First Peoples, the REP team actively collaborates with provincial, regional, and federal government agencies as well as community stakeholders to highlight Indigenous needs and perspectives.
REP Team
- Roles and key contributions of team members
- Project leads and structure
- 50-100 words per person
Despina Papadopoulos, MEd
Director, Strategic Programs and Initiatives
Dr. Emily Kirk, PhD
Principal Researcher
Dr. Emily Kirk is FPWC’s lead on several exciting collaborative research projects. For example, in addition to working with distinguished First Nations psychologists to develop a Podcast series, she is also working with community stakeholders and academic colleagues on a pioneering Mental Wellness Workforce Realist Review project. She is passionate about using her extensive experience to undertake research that enhances health equity, especially in regard to Indigenous Mental Wellness.
Becky Carpenter
Policy Analyst
Catherine Graham
Evaluator
Area of Focus and Link to FPWC Strategic Plan
- 100-200 words
All of FPWC’s work in research, evaluation, and policy is guided by the organization’s Strategic Plan. This includes working conscientiously to focus efforts on growth, the Framework, relationships, and collective intelligence. The team’s primary goal is for each project, initiative, or communication to be rooted in these aims, as the team strives to thoughtfully and respectfully undertake work that is built on and contributes to Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
The main area of focus is to use Indigenous-led and evidenced-based data to establish, develop, and build on work that promotes, upholds, and improves mental wellness of First Peoples and strengthens the First Nations mental wellness workforce. This includes implementing Indigenous research methodologies, paradigms, and ethics principles as well as through the implementation of the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework.
The team’s work is distinguished as it crosscuts fields as well as previously held Western assertions and boundaries of where, how, and why research, evaluation, and policy can be used to advocate for and improve Indigenous mental wellness. Using Two-Eyed-Seeing, and bridging the gaps between, among others, community and government as well as scholars and frontline workers, the REP team takes a unique and impactful approach to transformative change.
Resources and Publications
- Word count N/A
- List of team developed resources, documents, reports, and other publications
- Add cross-links to project pages when possible
Highlights and Updates
- 100-200 words
- To be updated quarterly (at same time as Newsletter)
- Bullet point list of recent high-level project and team updates
Contact Information
- Word count N/A
- Contact information for team members
Explore our work:
- Link to Project 1
- Link to Project 2
- Link to Project 3
- Link to Project 4
