Research
Through a Black queer diasporic analytic and reading practice, my research interrogates the ontological problem made of Blackness. I contend that queerer modalities of though are necessary to account for the complicated realities of life, as lived by Black people, including those who are queer, trans, and gender non-conforming. My primary focus of this research is blood donation and the theorization of blood. A unique entrance, blood connects broadly to historical, contemporary, and temporal moments through colonial, anti-racism, scientific, geographical, feminist, social justice, and socio-politico-juridical disciplines. The research projects below include exploration in blood donation and policy, public health and policy, and the hermeneutics of blood.
Research in progress...
NATIONAL
In order to effectively address the concerns raised regarding MSM blood deferral, it is necessary to acknowledge the diverse nature of the MSM community in Canada. Specifically, African, Caribbean, and Black men who have sex with men (cis and trans) are negatively impacted by a number of questions on the donor questionnaire – questions that prevent them from becoming blood donors. The overall objective of this two (2) year research study is to generate evidence to guide modifications to the current Canadian Blood Services’ donor criteria and questionnaire in order to facilitate greater participation by ACB men who have sex with men. Our central operating proposition is that the participation of “low-risk” ACB MSM in blood donation is impeded by exclusionary eligibility criteria and their experiences of the donor questionnaire. We will investigate this proposition through three specific aims (objectives).
Aim 1: Identify best predictors of receiving a seronegative HIV test among ACB MSM.
Aim 2: Identify the range of factors that influence ACB MSM responses to the donor questionnaire.
Aim 3: Improve the gender and cultural appropriateness of the donor questionnaire. The study will be conducted in Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, and Toronto – four cities in Canada with significant and vibrant ACB communities.
Nominated Principal Applicant ($400,000)
Funding Agency: Canadian Blood Services
Black Health Education Collaborative Grant
Nominated Principal Applicant
Funding: Dalhousie University ($400,000.00) and University of Toronto ($510,000)
Awareness and understanding of Apheresis Plasma Donation and Effectiveness of Alternative Donor Screening Questions for Diverse GBMSM and Trans Populations
Co-investigator ($200,500)
Funding Agency: Canadian Blood Services
Understanding General Population Impact and Opportunities from Changes to Blood Donation Deferral Screening and Criteria for Men Who Have Sex With Men
Co-investigator ($300,000.00)
Funding Agency: Canadian Blood Services
PROVINCIAL/LOCAL
Nominated Principal Applicant ($75,000)
Funding Agencies: Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition and Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation
Co-Applicant ($75,000)
Funding Agency: Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition Funding Competition
Co-investigator ($574,000)
Funding Agency: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Co-investigator ($54,908)
Funding Agency: Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition