Statement of Intent
I am pleased to put forward my candidacy for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion position with the CPA’s Student Section Executive team. I am a first year Master’s student pursuing a degree in Health Psychology at the University of British Columbia on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are essential to advancing the field of psychology by ensuring that diverse perspectives shape our research, practice, and policies. This position provides an opportunity to create meaningful, tangible change by providing resources, materials, and opportunities for learning to students at various stages of their psychological training. My own positionality as a Black woman and first-generation student combined with my project management skills position me well to support making a lasting impact on JEDI initiatives within the CPA. I have personally benefited from mentors and resources supporting underrepresented groups throughout my undergraduate and graduate degree. I understand the value of having access to resources and mentors who promote an atmosphere of inclusion. Issues of equity stand at the core of my academic work and personal ethos. For this reason, I have recently joined my department's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion consulting team. The Canadian Psychological Association has a longstanding history of supporting equity initiatives, and there is always more to be done. I hope to contribute to upholding this tradition of excellence for the next two years. If elected to the Executive committee, I will work to create initiatives that reflect the needs of our student members and the broader community. I hope to earn your trust and your support to drive meaningful change in Psychology.
Biography
Hello, reader, my name is Marisa and I am a first-year MA student in the Health Psychology program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, where I also completed my BA. My MA research is broad, though all of my work is focused on the social determinants of health, with a particular emphasis on gender, housing, and socioeconomic status. I have recently completed a project exploring how social networks and group dynamics affect our well-being. For the past several years, I have been coordinating a CIHR-funded longitudinal study on hormonal contraceptive use and depression in adolescents and most recently I am exploring the role of housing environments and financial stress in relation to health and well-being. I have extensive experience leading teams and collaborating with others in both academic and non- academic roles. I love working with data and I run a monthly data visualization club to get undergraduates excited about data and coding. After the completion of my Master’s degree I plan to continue this work through my PhD where I hope to pursue policy work alongside a career in academia. I remain inspired by the importance of translating research and knowledge into tangible change, ensuring that the work we do in academic settings continues to address meaningful, real-world issues. I look forward to contributing to the development of policies that address societal needs while continuing my academic pursuits. Outside of work, you can find me foraging for coffee and bubble tea, solving puzzles, or volunteering in the community.