Research Interests:

Homelessness and housing policy including gender dimensions
Youth welfare and current issues
Youth sexual health
Social and health policy
Access to social and health services by marginalized or vulnerable populations
Critical and structural social work theory
Using theory in social work practice
Aboriginal self-government and access to services by Aboriginal communities
Research themes:
(1)    The importance of social and health policies and the connections between policy and social work practice.
(2)    Links between social work theory and practice.
(3)    Access to social and health services by vulnerable or marginalized groups.
(4)    Northern, rural and remote contexts as unique environments with implications for service delivery, policy development, and social work practice.
Current Research Projects:
The following research projects are ongoing.  If you are interested in more information on these studies, or wish to contribute in some way (such as supporting the research, receiving results of the study, being hired as a research assistant, sharing relevant information, etc.) please contact Heather Peters at her email address: petersh@unbc.ca and let her know of your interest.
Research title: The Sexual Health of Northern, Rural and Remote Youth in Care
Funder: BC Medical Services Foundation ($47,732)
Dates: 2009-2010
Role: Principal Investigator
Research abstract:
Youth in care are a unique population who live in complex circumstances. Due to experiences or threats of violence and abuse, they have been removed from their families of origin to live in the care of the state. They are isolated from support networks, often have fractured relationships with caregivers and are subject to government child welfare policies. Youth in care face greater health, including sexual health, risks than youth not in care. Northern and rural youth also have greater risks than urban youth. The intricate interactions of living in care while in the north are important to explore; yet research with this population is extremely limited.  We will explore the experiences of youth in care in accessing sexual health services. The research will develop a profile of available sexual health services along with information on what services are intended to be available according to government policies.  Analysis of the data will examine the connections between policy and service structures and access to sexual health services. The research will focus on youth from two northern BC communities, one the urban centre of the north (Prince George) and the other a small community accessed by outlying rural communities (Quesnel). This will allow for an exploration of the differences in services and service access between urban and rural areas in the north. Access patterns between the two communities will also be explored as there are anecdotal reports that Quesnel youth utilize services in Prince George to avoid being seen accessing services for sensitive health concerns in their home community. The research will make recommendations regarding policy and service structure changes in order to improve northern sexual health service provision to this population.
Research status: Preliminary stages are in process.
Opportunities to participate: Contact Heather Peters at petersh@unbc.ca for more information on how you can support or be involved in this research. 
Research title: Harm Reduction Education and an Exploration of Illicit Drug Use Via Peer Driven Intervention in Quesnel, BC
Funder: Northern Health Authority ($20,000)
Dates: 2009-2011
Role: Principal Investigator
Research abstract:
The goal of this research is to survey and interview marginalized, hidden populations of illicit drug users in the small, rural community of Quesnel, BC on their use of illicit drugs and the barriers to accessing health and social services. Professionals in Quesnel have indicated that it is difficult to provide services and harm reduction education to this population. Past studies have found peer researchers to be particularly effective in accessing hidden populations (Drauss et. al, 2005). The proposed research will provide training to peer researchers who themselves have a history of drug use. These newly educated peer researchers will reach out to their more hidden peers in order to (1) gather information on the patterns of drug use including types of drugs being used and methods of use; (2) record experiences accessing health and social services to address issues related to drug use; and (3) provide harm reduction education and link participants to services and supports. Goals of the research are to: reduce the incidence of HIV by increasing drug users' knowledge of harm reduction activities; link illicit drug users to services; document barriers to health and social service access; and recommend health and social policy and service delivery changes to better meet the needs of users of illicit drugs and to improve access to services. Community-based professionals working in relevant fields will form an advisory committee for the study. Results will be shared with participants and will be made widely available to the larger community.
Research status: To begin by fall 2009.
Opportunities to participate: Contact Heather Peters at petersh@unbc.ca or Kathy Wrath at Kathy.Wrath@northernhealth.ca for more information on how you can support or be involved in this research. 
Research title: Engaging Rural and Northern Youth in a Social Determinants Analysis of Sexual Health Outcomes
Funder: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Interdisciplinary Capacity Enhancement (ICE) Grant ($820,000)
Dates: 2006-2011
Role: Co-Investigator
Research abstract: Gender, culture and place help to shape social relations and structural conditions which, in turn, put many youth's sexual health at risk. To address sexual health inequalities, the Youth Sexual Health Team is examining how factors related to gender, culture and place (e.g., power imbalances within sexual relations; limited control over lives and resources; reduced access to timely and youth-centered sexual health services) both transform sexual health outcomes and can themselves be transformed to improve youth health and social wellbeing.
For an example of one such research project see the project above titled: The Sexual Health of Northern, Rural and Remote Youth in Care.
More information:http://www.youthsexualhealth.ubc.ca/
Research title: Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Consortium (SARAVYC)
Funder: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Interdisciplinary Capacity Enhancement (ICE) Grant ($743,751)
Dates: 2006-2011
Role: Collaborator
Research abstract:
The Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Consortium (SARAVYC) is a team of researchers, collaborators, trainees, and community partners brought together to address one of the most poorly understood social determinants of health: the influences of stigma on health disparities of vulnerable populations of youth. Stigma -- an attribute, behaviour, or reputation that is seen as socially unacceptable by a dominant social group1 -- can profoundly affect the developmental trajectories and life experiences of young people. Stigmatized youth are at increased risk for health disparities – including drug abuse, suicide attempts and teen pregnancy – compared to their non-stigmatized peers.  However, not all youth at risk of stigma are affected equally. Some youth are buffered from harm by protective factors, such as supportive parents and peers. The SARAVYC research team is interested in finding strategies at the individual, family, community, and policy levels to reduce stigma, bolster resiliency and decrease health disparities.
More information: http://www.saravyc.ubc.ca/