The Research Department at Egale Canada engages in community-based research in a wide array of interdisciplinary fields as well as broad and dynamic research topics that reflect the local lived realities of 2SLGBTQI communities in Canada and internationally. Our mandate is to conduct research that:
- Amplifies often underrepresented perspectives
- Challenges dominant discourses and advances critical conversations
- Engages communities and builds capacity
- Produces evidence to inform policy changes
- Positively impacts 2SLGBTQI people and communities
Research Philosophy
Our research is community-directed and community-focused. We pursue research that addresses core questions and issues faced by 2SLGBTQI communities, recognizing commonalities, coalitions, frictions, and intersecting and layered identities and experiences and identities.
We understand research as a process and practice that can amplify underrepresented perspectives and challenge dominant discourses. We pursue research that can build upon and spark critical conversations, impact policy development and decision-making, and inform community-led initiatives.
Research Areas
The Research Department pursues primary and secondary research that relates to myriad aspects of 2SLGBTQI lives across the life course, from youth to older adults. The focus of our research activities is diverse and includes such topics as school inclusion and inclusive education, employment and workplace inclusion, gender-based violence, aging issues, health and wellbeing, healthcare access and equity, and intersex rights and issues.
Research at Egale is supported by a range of funders, and through close collaborations with university-based academic partners and community collaborators.
Current Opportunities
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Egale Scholars in Residence 2023–2024: Now accepting applications!
Program Term September 01, 2023, to August 31, 2024 Description of Program The Scholars in Residence program at Egale Canada is a unique program that enables partnerships between academic experts and Egale. Through the Scholars in Residence program, Egale will host an academic expert for one year with the provision of a course release for…
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Seeking Academic Experts for 2SLGBTQI GBV Project
Project Term April 01, 2023, to March 31, 2028 Description of Project In this five-year, national, mixed-methods research study, we will investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 2SLGBTQI communities across Canada, focusing on those who have been impacted by domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and unsafe home environments, as well as the ways…
Meet Our Research Team

Celeste Pang, PhD
she/they | Senior Research Officer
Celeste is an anthropologist and ethnographer. Her research focuses on questions of aging, ableism and disability, gender and sexuality, and care. Celeste completed a PhD in Anthropology with collaborative specialization in Sexual Diversity Studies and an MA in Anthropology with collaborative specialization in Aging & the Life Course from the University of Toronto. Celeste has over a decade of experience leading and collaborating on a range of research, advocacy, and education initiatives related to equity, aging, and care access, including work focused on long-term care, palliative care, and intergenerational storytelling. At Egale, Celeste’s research and work focuses on 2SLGBTQI health, aging, and housing issues.

Félix Desmeules-Trudel, PhD
he/him-il/lui | Senior Research Officer
Félix is a quantitative researcher. His work focuses on the intersection of humanities, social science and quantitative methods. He completed graduate studies (PhD 2018, University of Ottawa) and postdoctoral fellowships at several institutions in Canada. His expertise includes laboratory studies, surveys, and statistical analyses in social science. He has participated in EDID initiatives in academia and the workplace and volunteered at organizations dedicated to 2SLGBTQI issues. Félix’s work at Egale includes support, collaboration with the research team, and development of quantitative designs, data collection and analysis.

Ellie Maclennan, BSc
Research Officer
Ellie is a Research Officer at Egale. Ellie completed a Bachelor of Science (BScH) with a major in Psychology at Queen’s University. At Queen’s, she was involved with sexuality, gender/sex, and identity research at the Sexuality and Gender Laboratory. Ellie also completed an Honour’s Thesis with a focus on women’s experiences of sexual fluidity. Since joining Egale in July 2021, Ellie has primarily worked on projects surrounding 2SLGBTQI aging and employment. While working, Ellie has been working towards completing the Data Analytics, Big Data, and Predictive Analytics certificate at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Chang School.

Kim Seida, PhD(c)
she/elle | Senior Research Officer
Kim is a qualitative researcher and PhD Candidate in Sociology at McGill University. Her dissertation explores the healthcare experiences, resilience strategies, and community-building efforts of sexual minority womxn in Canada. She has expertise in qualitative research methodologies (e.g., grounded theory, narrative research); critical media studies; and the sociology of health, illness, and medicine. Kim’s most recent work has focused on unpacking understandings of mental health recovery, social inclusion for folks living with disabilities, and Indigenous youth leadership. At Egale, Kim’s work is largely focused on addressing 2SLGBTQI mental health disparities and highlighting healthcare access issues.

Gazel Manuel, PhD student, MA
she/they | Research Officer
Gazel is a qualitative researcher based in Treaty 1 territory (Winnipeg). She completed her BA Honours in Sociology at the University of Winnipeg and MA in Sociology at Carleton University and is currently a PhD student in Sociology at Carleton University. Gazel has over a decade of interdisciplinary research experience working on projects related to public health, social entrepreneurship, and critical disability studies. Her current doctoral research examines ethnic entrepreneurship practices among Gen Z and Millennial Filipinx-Canadians. At Egale, Gazel’s research focuses on 2SLGBTQI inclusion and diversity initiatives within the context of small and medium enterprises and not-for-profit organizations.

Brittany Jakubiec, PhD
they/them | Director of Research
Brittany is a qualitative and educational researcher based in Epetwitk (Prince Edward Island) whose research focuses on experiences of LGBTQ youth, and questions of gender and sexuality, identity, and educational experiences. Brittany completed a PhD in educational studies and an MEd in educational leadership from the University of Prince Edward Island. Brittany brings multi-sectoral experience to their director role, including experience in non-profit leadership, higher education teaching, and academic research. At Egale, Brittany’s current research and work focuses on 2SLGBTQI health and employment.
Are you a researcher looking to work with Egale Canada on a research project?
Looking for more information on an Egale Canada publication?
Interested in learning more about 2SLGBTQI research in Canada?
Connect with our research team by email: research@egale.ca or fill out our contact form.
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