Sir William Stephenson Scholarship Recipient: Adi Keynan Changing lives: Student Stories

Adi Keynan has spent her undergraduate career bettering her hometown as both a volunteer and researcher at the University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg). The fifth-year Honours Psychology student has immersed herself in opportunities that see her working alongside inner-city communities and helping UWinnipeg researchers better understand the challenges faced by our city’s homeless population as well as those in Manitoba living with HIV.

“As part of the Canadian Crime and Homelessness Study, I’ve been working as a project manager under the supervision of Dr. Katharina Maier (UWinnipeg), Dr. Marta-Marika Urbanik (University of Alberta) and Dr. Carolyn Greene (Wilfrid Laurier University) to help our team with recruiting participants, conducting and transcribing interviews, and coding the data.” says Keynan. “This is a multi-institutional project spanning nine provinces. It’s been a very fulfilling experience, and I’m proud of the headway we’ve made in advancing our understanding of the complex psychosocial experiences and daily challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.

In addition to her role as project manager, Keynan also works as a research assistant under Dr. Bev Fredborg at UWinnipeg’s HEART Lab. “The research I’m involved in with the HEART Lab is in collaboration with Alltogether4IDEAS and aims to understand how HIV impacts people living in Manitoba—particularly mothers and their families. HIV is on the rise in Manitoba, and we need to be able to better connect those in need with proper care in order to curb this trend. The work I do for the lab means a great deal to me personally, as I also volunteer with Alltogether4IDEAS doing outreach. I work with the team to help provide education and knowledge on safe-sex practices and harm reduction. We also schedule outreach for the community to distribute basic necessities like food and clothing, as well as harm reduction supplies.”

In recognition of her outstanding volunteerism and skill as a researcher, Keynan is one of two recipients of the Sir William Stephenson Scholarship. A prestigious award first presented in 1985; the scholarship is reserved for talented undergraduate students whose leadership and skills go beyond the classroom. “I was overwhelmed with gratitude when I received the notice that I’d been selected. It’s an honour, and I’m so appreciative of the recognition of my research and volunteer work. I especially want to thank the participants who shared their lived experiences, bringing this research to life. It’s a great note to end my career at UWinnipeg on.”

Keynan will be graduating this summer and continuing her education at the University of Manitoba in the Clinical Psychology Master’s Program. “The work I hope to do as a graduate student will combine my passion for research and hands-on community engagement. Our province needs greater mental-health supports especially for people with complex needs, including those experiencing homelessness—I want my future career to help address these challenges and contribute to a healthier Manitoba.”