Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc

Professor and Director, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Executive Director, Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre

Homeless youth, LGBTQ, Sexually exploited youth, Abuse, Stigma, Discrimination, Trauma, Resilience, Transgender, Adolescent, Health, Nursing

Media

Study shows B.C.'s at-risk LGBTQ adolescent girls safer in progressive communities

Shining Light on What Makes LGBTQ2S+ Youth Feel Safe in a Community

Supportive communities and progressive politics can reduce suicide risk among LGBTQ girls

UBC medicine, nursing pledge to 'actively work to end anti-Indigenous racism' after Turpel-Lafond health care report

More boys hurt by dating violence than girls

Biography

Dr. Saewyc is an internationally recognized leader in research about vulnerable and marginalized adolescents. Over the past 20 years, she has conducted mix-methods research with many different groups of vulnerable youth, including runaway and street-involved youth; sexually abused and sexually exploited teens; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Two Spirit, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents; youth in custody; immigrants, home-stay students and refugees; and Indigenous youth. Her research emphasizes how stigma, violence, and trauma affect adolescent health and risk behaviours, as well as the protective factors that foster resilience among these vulnerable populations of youth.

Saewyc's research has influenced public health and policy in Canada, the US, and internationally. She also led SARAVYC in conducting the first Canadian national health survey of transgender youth in 2014, which has influenced clinical practice, human rights cases, and laws.

Expertise

  • Homeless youth
  • LGBTQ
  • Sexually exploited youth
  • Abuse
  • Stigma
  • Discrimination
  • Trauma
  • Resilience
  • Transgender
  • Adolescent
  • Health
  • Nursing