Toronto hospital names 1st scientist for program aimed at amplifying diverse Black voices
Posted February 14, 2023 4:50 pm.
Last Updated February 14, 2023 5:52 pm.
Holland-Bloorview Rehabilitation Hospital has named its first scientist to their program aimed at amplifying diverse Black voices in disability research.
The program, called Empowering Black Academics, Researchers and Knowledge creators or EMBARK, has named Dr. De-Lawrence Lamptey, who is a Black scholar with a permenent visible disability.
Dr. Lamptey tells CityNews he has noticed there is a gap for Black scientists and those who have a disbility when it comes to funding.
“When I first heard about this program, I thought that it was a fantastic opportunity for me to make a meaningful impact for children with disabilities like myself.” Dr. Lamptey.
Holland-Bloorview started this project to break down some of those barriers and to help reflect the kids and youth the rehabilitation hospital serves.
“We do know that Black scientists find it hard to find positions, get support and do their research in the health spaces and other spaces,” said Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou. “We know that is very important that we represent diverse voices and diverse experiences in our scientists, in our researchers, and in our clinicians.”
The aim, over a three-year term, is to provide start-up funds, access to advisors, and connection to networks among other important career-building supports
“It was developed as a partnership with the Black Research Network which is out of the University of Toronto. They aim to promote Black research in general and our EMBARK program focuses on breaking barriers in researchers who do disability work.”
Dr. Lamptey, who is currently studying at York University, was one of many scholars who applied to this very competitive program and hopes his work will be able to help the youth.
“My research right now at York University is about the intersection between disability and race just before the pandemic began in 2019. The EMBARK program is going to help support me build upon that research by looking at racialized people across the country during the pandemic and post pandemic recovery in order to inform policing practice.”
Dr. Lamptey begins his term with the EMBARK program in September. If you would like to find out more information about the program, you can head to their website.
