Finn (He/they)

Research and Evaluation Manager

Finn is a queer, trans non-binary, and polyamorous teammate working as our Research and Evaluation Manager.

Born and raised in Amiskwaciy Waskahikan, Finn works with us while also living with mental illness and chronic migraines. They do a variety of work across the QTHC, including supporting program evaluation to help us improve on our work and adjust to community needs and managing our research projects and partnerships. Last year he oversaw a needs assessment of harm reduction and mental health services across the province in support of the ongoing development of the Peer N Peer program. As part of this work, they have helped to design the Alberta 2S/LGBTQIA+ Substance Use Survey. He is currently managing the National 2S/LGBTQIA+ Substance Use Study.

Finn manages the Investigaytors program, a community-based research mentorship program. They have a passion for research as it relates to issues and realities faced by queer and trans communities.

“There’s a history of research being on queer and trans communities, rather than with or for us, and being able to facilitate a program which empowers community members to take research into our own hands - and address the issues that really matter to us - is pretty incredible.”

Finn first got into research after seeing gaps in how research represented and served folks like them. They had the privilege of accessing academia to grow their research capacity. They want to ensure others can access programs like Investigaytors regardless of education level, and conduct research in a way that acknowledges the skills and expertise of folks who may not be traditionally viewed as researchers. He attributes his outlook on the value of diverse perspective to his own experiences.

“Living with chronic illness and mental illness has given me a deep understanding of how other aspects of our identity intersect with queerness to shape our lives and experiences. Perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that there are things I’m an expert on because of my lived experiences and things that I’m not and never will be. It is so vital to always, always value community knowledge and expertise."

They also hold lived experience as a trans masculine person. Having accessed some transition-related support services, Finn is passionate about trans healthcare and believes it’s important to assess and improve healthcare for the queer and trans community.

“For example, navigating healthcare systems often forces folks to operate within a binary system, where they’re also likely exposed to transphobia, and this creates a barrier to accessing care that can have huge ripple effects on overall health and well-being. We need better healthcare provider literacy - in all areas of healthcare - when it comes to queer and trans communities.” Last year’s Investigaytors project looked at the health care experiences of queer and trans Albertans.

Previously, Finn lead the development of QTHC’s 2023-2025 strategic plan and Community Health Strategies, looking at the needs of queer and trans communities across Edmonton.

In prior roles, Finn has done work around peer support and education, including giving workshops on 2SLGBTQ+ language, allyship, creating safer spaces, and gender-inclusive safer sex education. They have also done research on the impact of the U=U campaign to understand how it affects stigma, as well as how to improve access to U=U information and programming.

In their spare time, Finn enjoys walking his dogs in the river valley and runs an Edmonton-based queer climbing collective.

You can contact Finn by emailing finn.st.dennis@ourhealthyeg.ca.