At the 2024 Putting Patients First Conference, LET’S Founder-Executive Director, Heather McCain, presented Beyond the Binary in BC: A Continuous, Collaborative Commitment to Supporting Inclusive Women’s Health Research alongside colleagues Julia Santana Parrilla and Emma Devin.
The presentation showcased the Beyond the Binary Guide, developed through the Women’s Health Research Institute’s convening and collaborating grant, which supports gender-equitable, community-engaged health research practices.
We shared the processes of Beyond the Binary, highlighting community engaged practices, and promoted the guide. This work acknowledges how research is a key determinant of health equity. When research is exclusive, so are health services, programs and practices.
The Beyond the Binary Guide promotes and informs gender-equitable research practices. The Guide is available in both English and French.
Beyond the Binary in BC began as a Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) initiative, facilitated by a Convening & Collaborating Grant from Health Research BC . Its national expansion was supported by a Canadian Institute of Health Research planning and dissemination grant, and Partnership for Women’s Health Research Canada (PWHR) .
LET’S Founder-Executive Director, Heather McCain, started their role as a member of the Community Task Force. They have also been a co-applicant on grants. They are very proud of this work and the Guide. It has already created international interest. Having equitable language is necessary to create the change we so desperately need.