University Research Chair

Overview

The University Research Chair is a Dalhousie appointment designed to recognize emerging world-class researchers who have demonstrated particular research creativity and exceptional achievement. Dr. Jefferies' University Research Chair is a five-year appointment in the School of Nursing. 

Program of Research

Dr. Keisha Jefferies is an African Nova Scotian nurse scientist and an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at Dalhousie University. Dr. Jefferies is the director of her emerging program of research, M-BRACe (Multidisciplinary Black Research and Advocacy Centre). M-BRACe is a research hub that generates and synthesizes evidence to improve health outcomes among Black populations, and to support the future generation of critical health leaders. Her program of research builds on her doctoral research and advocacy; examining the social and structural factors that exacerbate health disparities and inequities. Importantly, her program encompasses two research foci: 

Black Populations Health

Anti-Racism in Nursing Education and Practice 

Program Vision

The vision of M-BRACe is to be a multidisciplinary research hub for high quality evidence to advance the health of Black populations.

Program Mission

The mission of M-BRACe is to integrate diverse methodologies into the synthesis and generation of evidence, to create theoretical frameworks, and to implement evidence-informed interventions. M-BRACe aims to achieve this through combining traditional scientific methods with critical methodologies to examine health issues and systemically embedded barriers impacting Black populations.

Program Objectives  

1. To synthesize evidence through robust systematic reviews and evidence syntheses. 
2. To conduct primary research through qualitative and mixed methods multidisciplinary research.  
3. To develop evidence-informed theoretical, conceptual, and practical frameworks. 
4. To implement and evaluate evidence-informed interventions, initiatives, and programs.