Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship recipient Alex Kent's research works to advance anti-colonial implementation science and knowledge translation with the xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ* (Many ways of working on the same thing) research team.
Research topic
Research Description
Building on five-years of relationship-building and methodology development with Ktunaxa Nation, the xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ CIHR Project Grant (2021-2026) will co-design, prototype and pilot interventions to address colonial disconnection in the health system. As a postdoctoral fellow, I will have the opportunity to take a leadership role in evaluating the interventions within the xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ project. Specifically, the aim of the postdoctoral research is to document the implementation processes, examine the mediating determinants, and measure metrics of impact of the xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ interventions. This aim will be achieved through the following objectives:
- Co-define implementation goals, strategies, outcomes and metrics;
- Monitor and document implementation, mediating determinants, and impacts;
- Co-evaluate for recalibration;
- Plan for sustainment and ongoing quality improvement; and
- Highlight promising practices for spread and scale-up.
With close guidance and mentorship, I will employ the xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ methodology, a locally-specific and culturally-informed approach to co-learning and co-creation of knowledge, as aligned with Ktunaxa processes and protocols. In tandem with planned activities as part of the xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ Project Grant, the postdoctoral fellowship will involve data collection at Advisory Group meetings and community gatherings in all four Ktunaxa Nations. The community gatherings and Advisory Group meetings will entail a shared meal and shared dialogue akin to talking circles. Qualitative data from the facilitated dialogues will provide nuanced insights on the implementation processes, mediating determinants, and metrics of impact. Additionally, the interventions and implementation strategies will be empirically observed and documented. Analysis will be guided by framework analysis informed by theory that draws from implementation science, anti-colonialism and intersectionality. Implementation science is the study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of evidence-based interventions. Anti-colonialism brings colonization to the foreground, decenters the dominant culture to the periphery, and makes space for Indigenous voices and leadership. An intersectionality lens helps surface intersecting layers of identity and weaves critical interrogations of power, privilege, and oppression throughout the research.
Why did you decide to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at UBC? Did you consider other opportunities?
My postdoctoral fellowship is hosted within the PHAIRNESS (Population Health Approaches to Implementing Research (k)Nowledge for Equitable Systems & Strategies) Lab, led by Dr. Sana Shahram in UBC-Okanagan’s School of Nursing. The PHAIRNESS Lab is closely aligned with my research interests; it operates in full partnership with health system, Indigenous and community partners, with the aim of transforming systems to promote equitable health outcomes. I have been planning this placement as part of my ongoing professional affiliation with the xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ (Many ways of working on the same thing) research team for the past four years, and never felt the need to consider other placements.
What specifically attracted you to your research group?
I have a unique opportunity as a Banting Fellow to contribute to an existing Nation-led, community-based research project with established partnerships and funding. xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ (Many Ways of Working on the Same Thing) is a partnership between the Ktunaxa Nation Council, an Indigenous governance organization representing Ktunaxa communities in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia, and Interior Health, one of five regional health authorities in BC. All project activities are conducted under the leadership of Ktunaxa Elders and Knowledge Holders. The team is committed to amplifying the voices of Ktunaxa citizens and re-legitimizing Ktunaxa knowledge to bridge Ktunaxa systems to non-Indigenous systems.
What advice do you have for new postdoctoral fellows?
Start building relationships early— reach out to potential supervisors, form authentic and reciprocal partnerships with research stakeholders/ knowledge users/ collaborators, network at conferences and events
What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy going for hot yoga
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your postdoctoral fellowship?
I love geeking out over developing and adapting methodological frameworks. Specifically, advancing implementation science by weaving in Indigenous voices, knowledge systems and ways of knowing as well as critical theoretical perspectives such as anti-colonialism, anti-racism, and intersectionality.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced, or anticipate facing, in your career?
A challenge I have is learning to say no. There are so many opportunities available to trainees and so much pressure to stack your CV to advance your career. The FOMO is real. It continues to be challenging to set boundaries and prioritize what’s most important— also to prioritize my own health, wellbeing and social connections.
What in your life or career has prepared you for this position?
Over the past four years, I have invested in foundational community engagement, relationship-building, and learning with the xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ team as a Co-Investigator and Research Coordinator, gaining invaluable exposure to Ktunaxa research protocols and methodologies. I am continuing this research relationship to lean into and build upon established partnerships, networks, and resources, and to honour our team’s long-term commitments to Ktunaxa Nation.
What does receiving this award mean for your career?
I love what I do, and I hope that the academic career trajectory I am on continues into the future. More importantly, I am inspired to see critically-oriented research like this being funded because it paves a path and opens up space for voices that are often silenced to be amplified in research. I am committed to using this opportunity and my future career to advocate for and support career advancement of diverse and underrepresented talent.
What do you think the next step in your career will be?
My goal is to become a leader in transdisciplinary, justice-driven and anti-oppressive research that actively responds to collaborative research opportunities for transforming systems (e.g. research, health, education) towards health equity. Through strategically partnered action research and integrated knowledge translation, my long-term program of research will deconstruct, dismantle and de-implement oppressive policies, structures, and norms to nurture supportive environments for evidence- and values- based practices that promote equitable health outcomes.