Being a public scholar to me means using research evidence to make a positive change in my community, and meaningfully involving community members in the process.

Research Description

Globally, 45 to 95 per cent of females of reproductive age experience experience period pain. Period pain is more severe among adolescents and significantly impacts their ability to participate in school and extracurricular activities. Period pain can often be managed with over-the-counter medication, however, in some instances, it is an indication of other underlying conditions, such as endometriosis (a painful condition where uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus). Despite the prevalence of period pain, youth's knowledge of period pain is low, which influences their ability to access appropriate care and select effective self-care strategies. The goal of my research project is to on better understand youth's experiences of accessing period pain care in Canada, and partner with youth to co-develop a knowledge mobilization tool to improve access to period pain care. My project is a qualitative study guided by the principles of Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Human Centered Design (HCD). This means that I will be working closely with youth, healthcare providers and community partners to design and deliver a resource that will empower youth to obtain information and access period care.

What does being a Public Scholar mean to you?

Being a public scholar to me means using research evidence to make a positive change in my community, and meaningfully involving community members in the process.

In what ways do you think the PhD experience can be re-imagined with the Public Scholars Initiative?

The PhD experience can be re-imagined by inspiring curiosity and empowering PhD students to go beyond the traditional PhD and make an impact in the real world. The PSI program creates an opportunity for students and mentors working on diverse topics to come together and share ideas, inspiring students to re-imagine the possibilities. It also provides students with the tools and resources that they need to realize their vision.

How do you envision connecting your PhD work with broader career possibilities?

A pivotal point in my research career has been the opportunity to work with the Government of Canada (Women and Gender Equality Canada) on a research project where we generated evidence to support the design of a $25-million federal pilot program to address period poverty. Through this experience, I discovered the power of research to inform policy and practice and learned to collaborate with government decision-makers as research partners. During my PhD, I plan to build on these experiences and hope to establish a career where I can continue collaborating with government and community partners and facilitate evidence-based program and policy design.

How does your research engage with the larger community and social partners?

My PhD research is guided by a 'Participatory Action Research' framework, which is a research approach that emphasizes the involvement of community members at all stages of the research process. My research also has a concurrent knowledge mobilization component: a social media campaign and a website to share the findings of my research with youth. I have convened a youth advisory group of patients with lived experiences and interests in this topic who will help me co-design my research and the knowledge mobilization plans.

How do you hope your work can make a contribution to the “public good”?

Despite the prevalence of people who experience period pain, knowledge of period pain and how to effectively manage period pain is surprisingly low. Period pain is more severe among youth and impacts their ability to participate in day-to-day activities. By gaining a deeper understanding of how youth access period pain care, I will develop a web-based intervention that will support youth in better managing their periods. Ultimately, my project will empower youth to seek the care that they need to effectively manage their periods.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?

I have always known that I wanted a career in healthcare, but when I applied to study in Canada, I noticed a lack of representation - I did not see anyone who looked like me in a leadership role in healthcare. Rather than feeling discouraged, I saw this as an opportunity to become the role model that young Zeba needed. There were many ways to pursue this goal; however, my curiosity and deep passion for learning pulled me toward academia and research. I am very fortunate to have met mentors and teachers who inspired me to pursue a graduate degree and to have the opportunity to research a topic that I deeply care about.

Why did you choose to come to British Columbia and study at UBC?

I remember falling in love with UBC in 2015 when I first saw the beautiful greenery and the stunning backdrop of the campus. I jokingly told my friends that I never wanted to leave UBC! I completed my BSc and MSc at UBC and built strong ties to the UBC community. Despite spending so many years here, UBC continues to offer unique opportunities to grow my research career. My research lab, The Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Lab, led by Dr. Paul Yong, is a global leader in endometriosis and pelvic pain research. This lab, combined with the supportive community I have become an integral part of, provides the perfect environment for me to expand my research skills, contribute to impactful studies and grow both professionally and personally.