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.

Researcher, educational consultant, evaluator, KT specialist, implementation scientist

Doctor of Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies 

The University of British Columbia

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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

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Master of Public Health, Health Promotion and Global Health 

The University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

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Hons. Bachelor of Arts, International Development Studies | Certificate in non-profit management

York University