The Louise Picard Public Health Research Grant was awarded on March 20 as part of Laurentian University’s Research Week activities.
Five new projects will be underway in the Greater Sudbury area thanks to this grant funding.
Each grant, valued at up to $5,000, is jointly funded by Laurentian University and Public Health Sudbury & Districts and encourages collaboration on research that is relevant to public health. The grant is awarded to researchers who are involved in projects that strengthen partnerships between staff from Public Health Sudbury & Districts and faculty from Laurentian University.
“To be effective, public health programs and services need to reflect local needs and be informed by evidence. When we don’t have this evidence, we take steps to generate it by carrying out innovative research projects in partnership,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Public Health Sudbury & Districts Medical Officer of Health.
“These collaborative research projects generate valuable local insights that we then apply to support healthier communities for all.”
The 2019 Louise Picard Public Health Research Grant recipients include faculty from Laurentian University and staff from Public Health Sudbury & Districts.
“Laurentian University is proud to support the Louise Picard Public Health Research Grant, which drives research to improve the lives and well-being of our communities,” said Rizwan Haq, Interim Vice-President of Research at Laurentian University.
“This collaborative approach allows practitioners and academic partners to conduct research initiatives grounded in the community and relevant to public health practice."
This year’s recipients and projects include:
- 2SLGBTQ Sudbury population’s public health needs – Dr. Tanya Shute, Laurentian University; Dr. Suzanne Lemieux, Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- Exploration of Young Adults’ Perceptions of Race Relations in Sudbury – Dr. Sandra Hoy, Laurentian University; Dr. Dana Wilson, Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- Vaping: Understanding how public health and school boards can support secondary school staff in communicating evidence to help reduce its use – Dr. Alain Gauthier, Laurentian University; Ms. Stacey Gilbeau, Ms. Anik Proulx, Dr. Bernadette Walicki, Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- Values, Opinions, and Beliefs about the Social Determinants of Health Among Young Adults in Sudbury – Dr. Chantal Barriault, Laurentian University; Dr. Janis Goldie, Huntington University; Dr. Dana Wilson, Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- Working Together for Food Literacy – Dr. Phyllis Montgomery, Laurentian University; Ms. Bridget King, Public Health Sudbury & Districts
Since its launch in 2003, the research grant has supported 56 projects for nearly $260,000 in total, which includes the five projects announced today.
In 2005, the grant was renamed to honour Dr. Louise Picard, retired Director of Public Health Sudbury & Districts.
Doctor Picard, a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Laurentian University, along with key leaders from Laurentian University, was instrumental in establishing the grant and forging successful partnerships between the public health and academic sectors to develop and improve innovative public health practices.
