Who we are
Mission
To combat loneliness and social isolation by fostering collaboration among institutions, enhancing research, and guiding practice and policy through knowledge mobilization.
Vision
To be a leader in alleviating loneliness and social isolation, bridging academic and community efforts to improve social health across Canada.
Our Core Pillars
Convening, Collaborating, and Capacity Building
Uniting diverse collaborators and partners to foster cooperative initiatives and enhance collective capabilities in addressing social isolation and loneliness.
Research and Evaluation
Conducting rigorous research and thorough evaluations to understand and effectively address the complexities of social isolation and loneliness.
Knowledge Mobilization for Policy and Practice
Translating research insights into actionable strategies, influencing policy, and informing best practices to combat social isolation and loneliness.
Our Values
Inclusivity
Embracing diversity and ensuring all voices are heard, fostering an environment where every individual's experience with social isolation is valued.
Compassion
Approaching our work with empathy, recognizing the deep impact of loneliness on individuals, and committing to sensitive and caring solutions.
Integrity
Upholding the highest ethical standards in our research and practices, ensuring transparency, honesty, and responsibility in all our endeavors.
Innovation
Continuously seeking creative and effective approaches to combat social isolation, embracing new ideas, and pioneering novel solutions.
Collaboration
Valuing partnerships and teamwork, believing in the power of joint efforts among diverse groups to tackle the challenges of loneliness and isolation.
Excellence
Striving for the highest quality in our research, interventions, and policies, committed to making a significant and lasting impact in social health.
Researchers & Affiliates
Kiffer Card
Scientific Director
Kiffer is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, Director of Research for the GenWell Project, and the Director for the Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance. Dr. Card’s research focuses on emotional distress in the context of public health crises.
Frances Chen
Associate Professor
Dr. Frances Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Her research explores the intersection of social psychology and health psychology, linking our social lives (and, increasingly, our online social lives), mental health and physical health.
Pete Bombaci
Executive Director, GenWell Project
Pete is the founder and Executive Director of The GenWell Project, a human connection movement whose mission is to make the world a happier and healthier place by reminding people about the importance of face-to-face human connection and inspiring them to take action.
Shayna Sparling
Social Psychologist
Dr. Shayna Skakoon-Sparling has a PhD. in Applied Social Psychology and is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Guelph. Shayna’s research explores the ways in which belongingness needs relate to health and well-being.
Steve Joordens
Professor
Professor Joordens was originally trained as a Cognitive Psychologist with expertise in Human Memory and the distinction between Conscious and Unconscious influences on performance. More recently, as Director of the Advanced Learning Technologies Lab, his work has taken a more applied perspective, focusing on effective ways of using educational technologies to support the learning of core transferable skills. One product to come out of his lab - peerScholar - is now used in 10 countries and positively impacts over 200,000 students per year.
Sandra Allison, FRCPC, CCFP, FCFP, MPH
Physician
Sandra Allison is a Medical Health Officer in Kelowna BC, a public health and prevention medicine specialist, and a family physician.
Miriam Kirmayer, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Miriam Kirmayer is a clinical Psychologist, writer, speaker, and friendship expert who has spent a decade researching the science of friendship and social connection.
John Oliffe, PhD
Professor
Dr. John Oliffe is a Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Men’s Health Promotion at the School of Nursing, University of British Columbia. Founder and lead investigator of UBC’s Men’s Health Research program, his work focuses on masculinities as it influences men’s health behaviours and illness management, and its impact on partners, families and overall life quality.
Lyne Ouellet
Doctoral Student
Lyne Ouellet is currently a PhD student at the University of New Brunswick in Interdisciplinary Studies, a research coordinator at St. Thomas University and a former inpatient physiotherapist. She is interested in community connectors, specifically how they are able to reach individuals and provide information, support and facilitate relationships.
Cecilia Benoit
Professor
Cecilia is a sociologist with a sustained commitment to advancing research on marginalized populations. Her research focuses on women’s health, mental health and susbtance use, and the wellbeing of street involved communities.
Elizabeth Pinel
Professor
Elizabeth is a social psychologist and Professor of Psychological Science at the University of Vermont. Her expertise is in the empirical study and treatment of existential isolation.
Abhay Singh Sachal
Graduate Student
Abhay Singh Sachal is a 19 year old mental health and climate activist and co-founder of Break The Divide, a nonprofit that connects young people with one another to foster connection, empathy, and social exchange.
Julia S. Nakamura
Doctoral Student
Julia is a doctoral student in the Health Psychology program at the University of British Columbia. She integrates theories and perspectives from health psychology, epidemiology, gerontology, biostatistics, and translational science to identify, understand, and intervene upon the dimensions of psychological well-being (e.g., purpose in life) and prosocial behaviors (e.g., volunteering) that are associated with health and well-being.
Yeeun Archer Lee
Doctoral Student
Yeeun (she/her) is a PhD student in the Health Psychology program at UBC. Broadly, her research aim is to gain deeper insights into the ways people pursue positive life outcomes through prosociality and social connection. She is particularly passionate about intervention science – how to translate scientific findings into evidence-based solutions to societal problems including loneliness and social disintegration.
Cindy Yu
Research Coordinator
Cindy Yu is a Research Coordinator for the GenWell Project. She holds a Master of Science in Epidemiology (MSc, University of Ottawa), and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc, McMaster University).
Taylor Hill
Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University
Taylor is a PhD student in Experimental Psychology at Dalhousie University, studying well-being at the individual (positive psychology) and population level (community mental health promotion). Her research is on socio-ecological influences on well-being, ranging from the everyday, personality-specific activities we do to be happy to evaluating mental health literacy programs.
Partner Organizations
