Elizabeth Saewyc

Elizabeth Saewyc is a Professor and Distinguished University Scholar at the University of British Columbia, serving as Director of the School of Nursing. Her research focuses on adolescent health equity with specialized expertise in LGBTQ+ and marginalized youth populations across Canada and internationally.

Dr. Saewyc's work centers on health disparities among sexual and gender minority youth, particularly transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit adolescents. She investigates critical intersections of mental health, substance use, violence exposure, sexual health, and the protective effects of supportive environments. Her research employs diverse methodologies including population-based surveys, ecological momentary assessment, and intervention development to address systemic inequities in healthcare access and outcomes.

Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal consistent emphasis on transgender youth health, violence victimization patterns, mental health outcomes, and evaluation of gender-affirming care models. Key trends include cross-national comparative studies, development of culturally responsive measurement tools, and analysis of socio-structural determinants like racism and discrimination on adolescent well-being. Her work frequently utilizes Canadian population data while contributing to global adolescent health frameworks.

Dr. Saewyc has received significant recognition through prestigious fellowships:

• Fellow of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (FSAHM)
• Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (FCAHS)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)
• Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing (FCAN)