• Principal Investigator


    (she/her) is a Black queer femme and full professor at Dalhousie University, widely recognized for her national and international contributions to Black Studies in medicine, medical education, health research, and healthcare systems. Her interdisciplinary scholarship foregrounds Black 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and examines the intersections of anti-Black racism, homophobia, transphobia, and systemic inequities in health, with a particular focus on blood donation systems in Canada and anti-racist data governance. Dr. Dryden’s research is reshaping how health sciences and medicine understand and engage intersectionality, race, and sexuality. Through innovative, transdisciplinary methodologies, her work offers critical frameworks for improving health outcomes in Black and Black 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

     

    She is the founding Director of the Black Studies Research Institute (in STEMM) at Dalhousie, and previously held the James R. Johnston Endowed Chair in Black Canadian Studies in the Faculty of Medicine (2019–2024). Dr. Dryden also co-founded and co-leads the Black Health Education Collaborative, a national organization dedicated to transforming medical education in Canada. In addition, she is an associate scientist with the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU) and a member of the Black Feminist Health Science Studies International Collective based at Northwestern University. Her acclaimed book, Got Blood to Give: Anti-Black Homophobia in Blood Donation (Fernwood Publishing), was awarded the 2025 George Borden Writing for Change Award.

  • Principal Investigator

    Dr Barb Hamilton-Hinch (she/her) is from the historical African Nova Scotian communities of Beechville and Cherrybrook. She is a full professor and that Assistant Vice Provost of Equity and Inclusion at Dalhousie University. Her interdisciplinary research examines the impact of structural, systemic, and institutional racism and discrimination on diverse populations, with a focus on people of Black African/Canadian/Nova Scotian/Caribbean descent. She is a sought-after researcher locally, nationally and internationally and collaborates with many researchers and communities across the country and internationally. Some of her research areas have focused on Black Health, Racialized bodies and elite sports, Health and well-being for diverse communities, Education and Early childhood education, working with families and individuals who have been incarcerated, health systems and equity, to name a few.

    At Dalhousie University Dr. Hamilton-Hinch holds a number of positions she is the co team lead for the Health of People of African Descent Research Cluster with Healthy Populations Institute, she is one of the founders of Imhotep’s Legacy Academy (ILA-a program that is developed to increase the number of students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), a founding member and co-chair of Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS a program to increase the number of students of African descent in Health), a founding member of the national organization Black Health Education Colloborative (BHEC) and founding Director of On these Shoulders Research Lab.
    Dr. Hamilton-Hinch is the Principal Investigator of the research project: Mobilizing Partnerships for Integration of Individuals and their families who have been involved in the Criminal Justice System. She is said to be the first African Nova Scotian to graduate with a PhD from Dalhousie University.

  • Dr. Rachel Zellars, M.A., J.D., Ph.D., is a legal scholar, Senior Research Fellow, and Associate Professor at Saint Mary's University in the Department of Social Justice & Community Studies.
    In addition to her legal background, Dr. Zellars also holds a master's degree from Cornell University and a doctorate from McGill University. Prior to arriving at SMU, she held postdoctoral fellowships in the Department of History at the University of Vermont and at Concordia University.
    Originally a farm girl from upstate New York, Dr. Zellars has lived and worked in numerous US cities, as well as in Nigeria, the South Pacific, and Montreal.

  • Robert Seymour Wright is a queer, African Nova Scotian Social Worker and Sociologist whose 35year career has spanned the fields of education, child welfare, forensic mental health, trauma, sexual violence, and cultural competence.  He recently completed terms of service as the founding Executive Director of both the Peoples’ Counselling Clinic (Nov. 2017 - March 2024) and the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (Fall 2021 - March 2024) and currently continues at the Peoples’ Counselling Clinic as Director Emeritus, Consultant and Therapist.  Robert’s identity and work are grounded in his integrated and activist spirituality. 

    Robert has served in developmentally critical and notable positions throughout his career.  He was the first Race Relations Coordinator for the Dartmouth District School Board, the Executive Director of Family and Children’s Services of Cumberland County and the Executive Director of the Child and Youth Strategy of Nova Scotia.  He was an early practitioner of what has come to be known as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work and he pioneered the introduction of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs):  A specialized, forensic, clinical presentence report for people of African descent.  This latter work has received national attention.  In August of 2021 the Government of Canada funded to expand the implementation of IRCAs nationally

  • Chris Cochrane is a Trans Black activist and public speaker. She speaks and educates about her lived experience through her intersectionality. Chris works toward creating spaces for QTBIPOC people, as well as working with 2SLGBTIQIA+ youth to ensure those spaces will be upheld for years to come. Chris is the former Vice Chair of Halifax Pride (2020-2022) where she uses that platform to ensure equity for the community ,while focusing on our marginalized and racialized folks. Chris is also the Recipient of The YMCA Peace Medal for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

  • Project Coordinator & Research Assistant

    Saif Malhas (PhD (candidate); MUD; MAUDP; BArch) is a multi-disciplinary urbanist and a human geography PhD student, specialising in queer geography and urban justice. My research interests include sexuality and space, urban inequalities and modernist heritage. Currently, my research is investigating queer spaces in Jordan, and how queers navigate their sexuality as well as their relationship to the city.

  • Research Assistant

    Tehya is an African Nova Scotian from Halifax with a strong passion for community health, equity, and research. She has recently completed an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa.

    Tehya is dedicated to improving health outcomes for marginalized and underserved communities through research and initiatives that center Black voices and experiences. She is passionate about advancing her studies in healthcare to drive meaningful change and promote the well-being of vulnerable populations.

    With a background in elite athletics, she represented Nova Scotia’s national women’s artistic gymnastics team for 10 years and was a member of uOttawa’s cheerleading team. She continues to stay active as part of Nova Scotia’s Tumbling Team.

    Outside of academics and athletics, Tehya enjoys traveling and trying new foods with family and friends. She also loves spending her downtime with a good book.

  • Research Assistant

    Roqaya Hassan is a Neuroscience student at Dalhousie University with a deep passion for brain science, community health, and newcomer support. She is committed to understanding how biological and social factors interact to shape health outcomes, particularly for women, immigrants, and marginalized populations.

    Roqaya’s academic background spans biochemistry, physiology, genetics, microbiology, systems neuroscience, and health-related research. She has gained hands-on experience through her work in the IWK pediatrics and women’s health research setting and through her mentorship connection with Dalhousie’s ORHSL lab. She is enthusiastic about building a career at the intersection of neuroscience, healthcare, and communication sciences.

    Outside her academics, Roqaya plays an active role in her community. She works at the YMCA Centre for Immigrant Programs, where she teaches English to newcomers and leads youth programming. She is passionate about creating inclusive, empowering spaces for immigrant families and supporting their transition and well-being.

    She is always exploring new ways to grow like learning more about communication sciences, or finding opportunities that combine science, community health, and research. In her downtime, she enjoys traveling, discovering new foods and cultures, and spending time with family and friends.