LEAD
Dr. Matthew Numer is a Professor and Head of the Division of Health Promotion at Dalhousie University, where he also leads the SHaG Lab. His research focuses on sexual health, substance use, online technologies, and the health of gay, bisexual, and Indigenous men. He holds advisory roles with several health organizations, including the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia and the Community-Based Research Centre, and chairs Nova Scotia’s PrEP Action Committee.

RESEARCH COORDINATOR
Chloë Blair is the Research Coordinator at the SHaG Lab. She holds a Master’s in Art History and Visual Studies from the University of Victoria. Her master’s research explored how e-commerce, colonization, and neoliberal consumption are implicated in traditional modes of textile making and the global fashion industry. Her current work as a digital ethnographer examines healthcare systems and how public online spaces can be tools for patient and employee advocacy.

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
Dr. Val Webber is a postdoctoral fellow whose research examines the intersections of health, sexuality, and social hierarchies of respectability. Their doctoral work focused on occupational health protocols in the porn industry. They are the board chair of Performer Availability Screening Services (PASS), a non-profit supporting health and safety for adult film performers. Dr. Webber has also contributed to research on vulvodynia and rurality, mental health and harm reduction, and how cisheteronormativity shapes online adult content policies.

They hold a Master of Public Health from Memorial University, an MA in Medical Anthropology from McGill, and a BA in Anthropology and Sexuality from Concordia. Dr. Webber is also deeply involved in sex worker rights, community health, and queer organizing initiatives.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (She/Her)
Brittany O’Shea is a Research Associate at the ShaG lab. She is a Doctoral Student at McGill University and holds a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from Dalhousie University. Her Master’s research received national and provincial funding and examined sexual violence label discourse and perceptions of victims and survivors. Her doctoral research is funded by a Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Award and explores the neglect of women’s health and the alternative avenues women seek to understand and advocate for their health.

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
Dr. Christopher Dietzel is a postdoctoral fellow who researches the intersections of gender, sexuality, safety, and technology. His current projects investigate sexual consent related to dating app use and sexual violence against LGBTQ+ people. Dr. Dietzel has also been involved in other research projects, including a project in Australia that examined dating app users’ experiences of safety, risk, and well-being. Since March 2020, he has examined dating app companies’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

To learn more, check out Dr. Dietzel’s article in: 
The Conversation

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Dave Miller is a Research Associate at the SHaG Lab with a focus on Indigenous men’s health. A 48-year-old Mi’kmaq HIV activist, Dave has over 12 years of experience working with health and service organizations across Canada in both paid and volunteer roles. He previously served as a Community Health Educator for 33 Atlantic First Nation communities, promoting healthy living initiatives. Most recently, he coordinated a national team of peer researchers for the HIV Stigma Index study with REACH Nexus at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions.

Dave currently chairs the Canadian AIDS Society and serves on the advisory committee for SHIELD (Sexual Health Information Exchange Labrador District). A passionate community builder known for his energy and dedication, Dave has received the Atlantic Canada Volunteer of the Year Award (2014) and the Halifax Regional Municipality Volunteer Award (2016). He is deeply committed to advancing HIV education, testing, treatment, and care, and to challenging stigma and discrimination through advocacy and public engagement.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Zac works as a research assistant for SHaG Lab. He is currently working on his Master of Pharmaceutical Science at Dalhousie University, and has a background in neuroscience and sociology. In 2019 he piloted and currently coordinates the Investigaytors program which focuses on teaching research skills to 2SLGBTQIA+ people that can be applied to their daily and professional lives. He also works as a research assistant and is a student of Dr. Kyle Wilby at Dalhousie University’s School of Pharmacy where he is focused on making it easier to access gender affirming care for the Transgender community.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Claire Yurkovich is a research assistant at the SHaG Lab. She holds a Master’s degree in Women and Gender Studies from Saint Mary’s University and received a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University in Psychology and English. Her Master’s research focused on creative art therapy, specifically looking at the efficacy of reading and writing poetry as a way of healing from sexualized violence. Their research interests include areas of gender, sexuality, and mental health, as well as the intersections between literature, poetry, and healing. Claire is also passionate about how language and the written word can improve accessibility within mental health research and lend to a space of community and self-expression.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Sulia’n is a Research Assistant in the SHaG Lab from Kepekek Kjipuktuk working on the Indigenous Boys and Men research project. He is an enthusiast of the Mi’kmaw Civilization and has been engaged with learning for over 10 years. Sulia’n earned his Honours Degree in Kinesiology, with a certificate in Indigenous Studies and a certificate in Intercultural Communication in 2020 from Dalhousie University. His research topic explored the self-perception of the impact of Scouting participation on Nova Scotian Youth’s life skills. His areas of interest include Hoplology, Music, Ethnobiology, Indigenous Medicine, and Crafting. He is a martial artist, outdoorsman, and craftsman making traditional musical instruments, weaponry, and games. For some more information, you can see an interview with Sulia’n on Mi’kmaw plant relations.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Andrew works as a research assistant for SHaG Lab and he is in his final year of a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. He has a background in sexual health and harm reduction and developed and coordinated the Peer N Peer Program out of the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia. He also works as a research assistant for Dr. Phillip Joy at Mount Saint Vincent University looking into the meanings of compassion in the 2SLGBTQIA community. He co-founded the "PnP Project Halifax" and co-facilitates a support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals engaged in sexualized substance use called “PNP Hangouts." He also does work for the Community Based Research Centre, developing educational resources about PnP. He is an active community educator on harm reduction and sexual health and with colleagues from Toronto is creating more inclusive and supportive policies for workers with lived and living experience/expertise relating to substance use.