
Dr. Maya Lefkowich
Ph.D., MPH, BA
Hello! My name is Maya Lefkowich [pronounced: leff - co - witch]. I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and am of Jewish and Eastern European descent. I moved to Vancouver 6 years ago for my PhD. I began my research career in the fields of masculinities studies and 2SLGBTQQIA+ health equity. During my PhD, I worked on topics related to Indigenous sovereignty and anti-oppressive digital storytelling/ film practices. I am passionate about transformative, arts-based, and community-led approaches to research and strategic planning. Storytelling, visual arts, and exploratory methods that address complex social justice issues are my specialty. Beyond work, I am a visual artist and writer. I love reimagining classic characters and plot lines in new ways to represent and engage communities respectfully and creatively.
Stats at a Glance
14
capacity-building initiatives
18
awards
12
years experience
8
KT initiatives
11
education projects
$314,100
awarded grants
8
peer review publications
45
presentations & guest lectures
Bio
Researcher, educational consultant, evaluator, KT specialist, implementation scientist
7
media engagements
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies
The University of British Columbia
Dissertation: "Disruptive Stories and Cautionary Tales: An Anti-Oppressive Autoethnography on Digital Storytelling"
* Awarded the 2022 Distinguished Qualitative Dissertation Award by the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry
Master of Public Health, Health Promotion and Global Health
The University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Hons. Bachelor of Arts, International Development Studies | Certificate in non-profit management
York University