Margaret Lin
Being a Public Scholar means being a facilitator and advocate — someone who collaborates with diverse partners, values multiple forms of knowledge and bridges research and practice to co-create meaningful outcomes. In my work across the health system and research, I’ve partnered with community members, clinicians, policymakers and older adults to co-develop care that truly matters to them. I’ve seen firsthand how mutual understanding and knowledge sharing lead to better outcomes.
Research description
What does being a Public Scholar mean?
Being a Public Scholar means being a facilitator and advocate — someone who collaborates with diverse partners, values multiple forms of knowledge and bridges research and practice to co-create meaningful outcomes. In my work across the health system and research, I’ve partnered with community members, clinicians, policymakers and older adults to co-develop care that truly matters to them. I’ve seen firsthand how mutual understanding and knowledge sharing lead to better outcomes. As a Public Scholar, I will continue building these relationships and fostering knowledge to advance equitable, person-centred care.
In what ways do you think the PhD experience can be re-imagined with this Initiative?
The Public Scholar Initiative values lived experiences and collaborations, which well align with my PhD research, career and passion. It not only provides essential funding to acknowledge diverse partners' time and expertise in collaborative research but also valuable opportunities to connect and learn with like-minded public scholars via workshops, networking and engagement events. I'm thankful for this opportunity to continue to lead more collaborative, equitable, practical and sustainable research throughout and beyond my PhD journey.
How do you envision connecting your PhD work with broader career possibilities?
I aim to become a system leader and embedded researcher specializing in and leading intersectoral/interdisciplinary care collaboration that engages diverse partners and fosters healthy aging. Working, learning, and researching directly with the health system and the community-based senior sector in my PhD work will help me gain valuable skills and experience in fostering environments that encourages diverse partners collaboration, conducting equitable and high-quality participatory research, navigating health and social system structures, and combining research and practical/clinical evidence to lead system change. It will also help me build valuable partnerships and share co-produced evidence that are critical for larger-scale improvement work within the provincial health system, as well as national or international collaborations.
How does your research engage with the larger community and social partners?
My research engages directly with the community by partnering with healthcare providers, administrators, older adults, caregivers, and community organizations in the Fraser Health region and through United Way BC. I see partners as co-creators whose knowledge and experiences are central to the project. Through interviews and ongoing collaboration, we will co-produce evidence that captures lessons from recent older adult care integration initiatives and outlines practical recommendations for future collaboration. Partners will guide how findings are shared—through reports, presentations or other methods that they see as most useful. By compensating partners for their contributions, I aim to acknowledge and value their expertise, while building relationships that empower them and the community, and strengthen future collaborative efforts. The project not will only advances doctoral research but also delivers tangible benefits to the organizations, communities and people involved.
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I chose to pursue a PhD because I want my work to make a tangible difference in how people experience health and aging. As a nurse, I have a vision of helping more people and empowering both individuals and the healthcare system. Along the way, I observed how fragmented systems create significant challenges for older adults, caregivers and providers; however, I also witnessed successes when diverse partners come together to improve care. I became motivated to bridge gaps and bring more partners together. In my project lead role within the healthcare system, I have the opportunity to lead initiatives aimed at improving older adult care, and I want to ensure that I equip myself with the skills and knowledge that can lead to evidence-based and sustainable change. The PhD provides me with the opportunity to deepen my research skills; collaborate with peers, mentors, and community partners; and co-create solutions that are both inclusive and impactful. I view the PhD as both an academic and professional journey — one that not only enables me to make a more significant contribution to healthcare quality improvement, but also prepares me to undertake larger-scale initiatives that support collaborative older adult care on a national and international level.
Why did you choose to come to British Columbia and study at UBC?
Studying at UBC offers me rich opportunities to deepen my expertise in interdisciplinary, patient-oriented and participatory research focused on older adult health. I am fortunate to be supervised by Dr. Lillian Hung, Canada Research Chair in Seniors Care, and Dr. Alison Phinney, an internationally recognized leader in community-engaged dementia research — both mentors who continue to inspire and guide me while supporting my passions and goals. Through close collaboration with the UBC Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, the IDEA Lab and now the Public Scholars Initiative, I am able to expand my understanding of healthy aging and strengthen my ability to connect research with real-world impact. These mentors and networks at UBC provide me with diverse skills, collaborative opportunities and meaningful platforms to share my work with a broader audience.
