Dr. Kristopher Wells’ research focuses on three key areas in support of the public understanding of sexual and gender minority youth: investigating and supporting inclusive and responsive policies, developing equitable and evidence-informed practices, and encouraging the full and equitable participation of LGBTQ2S+ youth in all aspects of Canadian society.
Dr. Kristopher Wells
Tier 2 Canada Research ChairPublic Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Issues
Associate Professor, Bachelor of Child and Youth Care
In his role as Canada Research Chair, Dr. Kristopher Wells aims to develop new courses, create research opportunities for undergraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and develop new and innovative resources and tools to help increase the public understanding of sexual and gender minority youth in Canada.
“I also hope that this Canada Research Chair will serve as a springboard for MacEwan to grow and support the development of other faculty members and CRCs to address some of the most pressing research questions and challenges currently facing our society,” he says. “We in the academy are in a unique position to use research to help ensure that evidence comes to bear on important policy developments and to help shape and inform public discourse. I strongly believe that research can be used as a catalytic force to both serve and benefit the public good.”
Dr. Wells says there is much to learn from youth when we listen, support and nurture them to become leaders in their schools, families and communities. “By using research to inform policies, practices and participation, especially in the domains of education, health and sport, sexual and gender minority youth will be afforded the opportunity to do more than simply try to survive in hostile and uninviting environments — they can be supported to thrive and live up to their full and amazing potential.”
About the Canada Research Chairs program
The Canada Research Chairs program invests up to $311 million per year to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. Chairholders aim to achieve research excellence in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities and social sciences.