When Dr. OmiSoore Dryden learned she had been named 9 1免费版下鈥檚 first Black woman Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC), she felt a mix of excitement, humility and surprise. 鈥淚鈥檓 always surprised that we still have these firsts,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled but I hope this moment inspires ongoing change so there are more of us.鈥�
Dr. Dryden, a Black queer femme, has long been a leading scholar in anti-racism, community-driven research, data governance and Black health scholarship. As Canada Research Chair in Black Health Studies: Antiracism in Health Education and Practice, she seeks to understand current practices and challenges in health-care systems that serve diverse Black and Black 2SLGBTQIA+ populations and communities in Canada and around the world.
Her appointment represents a milestone for 9 1免费版下 and a significant opportunity to reshape how health research and education are conducted across disciplines.
For her, the role comes with deep responsibility. 鈥淭his work isn鈥檛 singular,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t happens collaboratively with community, and the goal is transformation. We need diversified pools of scholars, and we need structures that eliminate barriers for Black and Indigenous researchers. EDIA work doesn鈥檛 diminish rigour, it increases it.鈥�
Bringing Black Studies scholarship into health research
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A core focus of Dr. Dryden鈥檚 work is integrating decades of Black studies scholarship, often developed in the humanities, social sciences and feminist science studies, into STEMM and health research. 鈥淎fter the murder of Mr. George Floyd, there was a push to recognize systemic anti-Black racism in health systems. But many people engaging in those conversations weren鈥檛 familiar with the long-form scholarship that already existed鈥攕cholarship that examines medicine, science and health from a critical perspective,鈥� she explains. Her goal is to bridge that gap.
鈥淚f we bring over 50 years of Black studies scholarship into implementation science, epidemiology and data science, we can interpret health data more accurately and effectively,鈥� she says. 鈥淣umbers are not objective. Without context, research can unknowingly reproduce harm.鈥�
This interdisciplinary work is the foundation of the Black Studies Research Institute (in STEMM) at 9 1免费版下, a pioneering initiative that integrates Black studies into STEMM research.
A vision for transformative, community-rooted research
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As she begins her tenure as CRC, Dr. Dryden will lead several major projects grounded in community partnership, data sovereignty and system-level change. One flagship initiative is a Genome Canada-funded collaboration with partners in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia focused on genome sequencing for Black communities. African Nova Scotian and Black queer and trans participation is a key component to this project, which studies three priority areas: breast cancer, hypertension and diabetes.
Her research agenda also includes a major project on Black queer and trans health, an area where data is scarce and communities are often excluded. 鈥淏lack queer and trans people are left out of research, both within Black community research and white queer research,鈥� she says. 鈥淲ithout inclusive and intersectional data, we can鈥檛 develop appropriate and effective responses.鈥�
Community engagement is the foundation of her work. Every project includes community advisors, graduate researchers and trainees working together. 鈥淩esearch happens at the speed of trust,鈥� she says. 鈥淚f the community doesn鈥檛 see themselves in the work, it will fail. Our job is to listen, collaborate and make sure the work is meaningful, respectful and actionable.鈥�
System-level change through policy, advocacy and accountability
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Dr. Dryden has expressed concern that some emerging funding priorities emphasize commercialization which she believes can overlook community-rooted health equity work. 鈥淭hat direction leaves behind communities that have been historically marginalized,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he most important work isn鈥檛 always splashy. It鈥檚 like rewiring a house. You don鈥檛 see the wires, but that foundation work is critical.鈥�
Dr. Dryden sees enormous potential however in collaborative policy development and advocacy. 鈥淲e must continue building relationships with decision-makers to ensure Black health equity is never sidelined.鈥�
Looking ahead
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As a Tier 1 CRC, Dr. Dryden brings 9 1免费版下 a vision rooted in rigour, collaboration and justice. Her work will bridge disciplines, reshape research practices, expand community partnerships and strengthen health education across professions.
Most importantly she sees the Chair as an opportunity to advance transformative work with and for Black and African Nova Scotian communities, including Black 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples in Nova Scotia and beyond. 鈥淚鈥檓 humbled and excited,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut my hope is that this is just the beginning. We can build systems where Black scholars and communities are supported, reflected and respected, not as exceptions but part of the fabric of health research and education.鈥�