Advancing Global Health Equity

In a world where health disparities remain widespread, Dr. Lisa M. Butler is leading a research program dedicated to advancing transdisciplinary research and developing sustainable solutions that promote health and wellbeing in underserved communities globally.

As the Canada Research Chair in Global Health Equity, Dr. Butler’s research program emphasizes two interrelated areas: advancing maternal, child, and adolescent health, and addressing the health impacts of climate change. Her work focuses on developing pragmatic, scalable, and sustainable strategies to improve health and well-being in resource-constrained settings. At the same time, her climate-focused research aims to promote resilient, sustainable healthcare systems while addressing the compounding toll of climate events on individual and community health, spanning across lifespans and even generations.

Dr. Butler’s approach to research is rooted in community engagement and co-design, emphasizing equitable partnerships to ensure that solutions are contextually relevant and sustainable. Her work integrates qualitative and quantitative methods for robust data collection, capacity strengthening to empower local stakeholders, and a transdisciplinary framework that bridges diverse fields of expertise to address complex health challenges holistically. Dr. Butler’s approach also uniquely integrates partnerships with arts and media professionals, leveraging storytelling, creative expression, and multimedia to enhance the accessibility and impact of research findings.

Dr. Butler’s program will also provide valuable training for the next generation of researchers. Through mentorship and experiential learning, undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows receive hands-on training in global health research, equipping them with the skills needed to address pressing global health challenges and promote health equity worldwide.