Interpreting Pre-Existing Sex and Gender Data

Drawing from the GSMM Research Equity Toolkit, on which Dr. Salway served as an expert advisor, come learn inclusive epidemiological survey interpretation and analysis. This hybrid lecture is part two of the RISE Centre for Queer and Trans Health’s sex and gender measurement series. You do not need to have attended part one to attend or understand this lecture. This lecture is intended for students, researchers, and community members who have an interest in best practices for sex and gender measurement.

Pre-existing data tends to be more readily available than primary data, and its use can save time and resources that might otherwise be spent by individual researchers on new data collection activities. However, working with pre-existing data is not without its challenges. We inherit data that may not have been generated in line with our current understandings of recommended, inclusive, and precise measurement and data collection practices. This lecture with Dr. TJ Salway addresses challenges that can arise when working with pre-existing data, especially where those data have identifiable shortcomings in how they handle the complexity of gender and sex variables. This lecture concerns itself with two types of pre-existing data: secondary data and older data.

To learn more about the GSMM, visit the resource website https://gender-sex-toolkit.med.ubc.ca/canadian-gender-sex-research-equity-toolkit/

About the Speaker

TJ Salway, Associate Professor of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, is a social epidemiologist who works to understand and improve the health of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2S/LGBTQ) populations. In 2019-2020, he testified for two standing committees of the Canadian House of Commons, to inform federal policy to promote 2S/LGBTQ health equity. This resulted in the passage of Bill C-4, making it a crime to perpetrate anti-2S/LGBTQ practices, otherwise known as “conversion therapy.” TJ directs the REAFFIRM Collaborative, an interdisciplinary team studying effects of 2S/LGBTQ identity (in)validation. He founded MindMapBC, a 2S/LGBTQ-affirming mental health service finder.