Community-Based Research
Not all research is created equally. We believe in research that centres and uplifts community voices, and that addresses real issues our community is facing.
In Alberta, there is a huge gap in queer and trans health research. QTHC is working to help close that gap through a range of internal and collaborative research initiatives. You can learn more about some of these initiatives by checking out the links below.
QTHC is committed to the principles of community-based participatory research.
This includes ensuring that our research initiatives reflect the needs shared by the community, that our research projects are designed and led by community, and that all results are shared with community in an accessible way. We also ensure that results are shared with decision-makers and healthcare providers to inform improved policy, programming, and practice, to ensure that community members have better access to the care and services they need.
Community-Based Research Projects
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Community-Based Research Projects *
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Led by QTHC in partnership with Norquest College, this project will shape work done by harm reduction organizations, respond to the lack of data we have on non-legalized substance use within our community, and contribute to advocacy efforts across the country.
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QTHC also runs the Investigaytors program in partnership with the Community-Based Research Centre. Investigaytors is a community health leadership program which provides opportunities for community members to learn community-based research skills and apply those skills through the execution of their own self-directed research project. To learn more about the program or get involved, click here.
Investigaytors 2024 — Our Bodies, Our Health: Survey Design and Recruitment
In 2024, we worked with Investigaytors cohorts across the country to develop the national “Our Bodies, Our Health” survey. In the summer of 2025, Investigaytors participants assisted with in-person data collection at pride festivals across the prairies.Investigaytors Archives
Read about the previous research projects done by the Investigaytors since the program began in 2019. -
In 2023, the Queer & Trans Health Collective ran a province-wide survey on substance use within the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community. The survey examined the use of non-legalized substances within our community and asked questions about harm reduction needs, mental health, and sexualized substance use.
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We know 2S/LGBTQIA+ individuals use substances at higher rates than the general population. However, very little is known at a local level about the experiences of 2S/LGBTQIA+ individuals who use substances and their access to relevant harm reduction tools, supports, and services. QTHC, Fruit Loop, and the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society designed and delivered a survey aimed at filling these knowledge gaps. Check out the results at the link below.
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In 2016, QTHC designed and delivered two provincial surveys aimed at better understanding access barriers to HIV PrEP. The results of both surveys can be found on our PrEP Alberta website through the link below.