DEPtH Lab

💡 𝗟𝗖𝗛𝗟 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗗 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 On 3 July 2026, the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD) hosted its fellows event at the Universiteit van Amsterdam on the equity gap in Digital Health solutions. The event started with a keynote from Prof. Tarun Katapally (DEPtH Lab Western University, Canada). His talk, ‘𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘮? 𝘋𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 & 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘨𝘢𝘱’, challenged the idea that digital health alone can solve the growing pressures on healthcare systems. Instead, he argued that when access to technology, digital skills and resources is unequal, digital health can also reinforce existing health inequities.     LCHL researcher Dr. James Hazel responded with a legal perspective on health data governance, highlighting that equity is not only a design issue but also a governance issue: questions of data ownership, control, and accountability are central to achieving fair and equal health outcomes. This AIGHD Fellows event was organised with the support of Universiteit van Amsterdam - Faculteit der Rechtsgeleerdheid (LCHL) and Social and Behavioural Sciences (Centre for Social Science and Global Health (SSGH)). Anniek de Ruijter Katrina Perehudoff Floor Bennebroek Isabel Benedict Bregje de Kok Zongtian Guo Charles Agyemang Daniëlla Brals Constance Schultsz Anim van Wyk    Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/estizqEq

This week, the DEPtH Lab hosted a partnership engagement at Western University, bringing together the DEPtH Lab, CHANGE Research Lab, and Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute (HCJMRI) to advance an India-Canada collaboration in digital health.   Apart from the senior scientist-level deliberations with Dr Anuradha Khadilkar, Jasmin Bhawra, PhD, and Rubina Mandlik, it was wonderful to see our trainees take the lead throughout the week. Heya Desai presented on the importance of journal selection and identifying the right fit for your work, while Caitlin H. shared her analysis of the YUVAAN findings - A multigenerational platform for health systems interventions: https://lnkd.in/gqhDF8uw. To close the engagement, Sheriff Ibrahim conducted a hands-on #XR demonstration that added an immersive digital health component and sparked thoughtful discussion among partners. Thank you to our collaborators across both countries for a productive and engaging week.   #DigitalHealth #GlobalHealth #ClimateAndHealth #NCDs #Research

Looking forward to engaging with scholars and scientists at Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development & Centre for Social Science and Global Health (SSGH). To walk the talk about #techquity, particularly in working with underserved communities, we all need to think about: 1) who owns the platforms we engage everyday, 2) who owns the #bigdata we generate everyday and 3) most importantly, how #AI can be human-centred? Our team at DEPtH Lab is especially looking forward to working with Daniëlla Brals in advancing and "inverting" #socialinnovation in global health: https://lnkd.in/gfhMdiHc Western University University of Amsterdam Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

🌟 Meet Prasanna Kannan 🌟 🎓 Prasanna Kannan is a professional social worker, public health specialist, and doctoral candidate in Public Policy at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. 🌱 With over two decades of experience in public health, Prasanna has worked extensively in chronic disease prevention, tobacco control, and mental health promotion across governmental and community settings. Her work is grounded in translating evidence-informed policy into action and advancing sustainable, systems-level health promotion strategies. 📚 Prasanna recently published an article in the Journal of School Health titled “Strengthening Culturally Responsive Mental Health Supports for Crisis Preparedness: Lessons From Indigenous Educators’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The study explores the lived experiences of Indigenous educator citizen scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the importance of culturally responsive and technology-enabled approaches to supporting mental health and building more resilient school health systems. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eQcTk94j 🔗 Through the Smart Indigenous Youth (SIY) initiative, Prasanna has contributed to a five year longitudinal study using #DigitalHealth and #CitizenScience approaches to support the #MentalHealth and well-being of Indigenous youth and educators. Her doctoral research builds on this work by examining how schools can serve as transformative spaces that promote resilience, cultural continuity, and health equity during and beyond times of crisis. 🏛️ Within the Saskatchewan Government, Prasanna contributes to strengthening population health approaches in health promotion, with a particular focus on chronic disease prevention and systems improvement. 🧠 Her long-term vision is to strengthen public health systems and improve population health through prevention-focused strategies that advance #Equity, foster community partnerships, and drive sustainable systems transformation. Prasanna brings deep experience in public health, policy, community-engaged research, and systems-level health promotion. Across her work, she remains committed to advancing culturally responsive, equitable, and sustainable approaches to mental health and population health.

👉 Are you a Western University student in London this summer interested in supporting a lab-based research study? 🧠🔬 We are currently recruiting study volunteers to support a randomized controlled trial examining how immersive technologies may support behavioural therapy and preventive mental health strategies. This role offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a structured lab environment, working with the DEPtH Lab team, engaging with research participants, and helping coordinate study sessions. Interested? Learn more in the poster below!

👉 Are you a Western University student in London this summer interested in supporting a lab-based research study? 🧠🔬 We are currently recruiting study volunteers to support a randomized controlled trial examining how immersive technologies may support behavioural therapy and preventive mental health strategies. This role offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a structured lab environment, working with the DEPtH Lab team, engaging with research participants, and helping coordinate study sessions. Interested? Learn more in the poster below!

CHANGE Research Lab is proud to have represented at the 2026 Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) Annual Conference in Montreal 🍁   It was a fantastic opportunity to share two projects that reflect the heart of what we do at CHANGE -- community-driven, equity-centered, and technology-forward public health research.   Harsimran Dogra, MSc candidate, delivered an oral presentation on Climate Care Toronto, a CIHR-funded #digitalcitizenscience initiative for equitable climate action and health. We are working alongside residents in Rexdale and Scarborough to understand and address the #healthinequities driven by #climatechange. The project is rooted in a simple, but powerful, belief: the people most affected by climate change should be at the center of the science that responds to it.   Harsimran also presented a poster on SwitchWell, a human-centered AI-enabled #digital #mentalhealth platform built through co-creation and grounded in peer reciprocity. Through its signature 'Reality of Duality' feature, SwitchWell empowers users to move seamlessly between seeking and providing peer support, fostering agency, community, and connection.   Interested in learning more about the CHANGE Research Lab and our community-driven public health research? Visit: https://lnkd.in/gNmPN5Mb   Thank you to CPHA for the platform, and to every community member, collaborator, and supporter who makes this work possible.   📍 Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth, Montreal 🗓️ March 11-13, 2026   Research – Toronto Metropolitan University Faculty of Community Services - Toronto Metropolitan University Toronto Metropolitan University

Today, Harsimran Dogra, MSc (c), presented about SwitchWell (https://lnkd.in/g3V3CafP) at the Co-Minded Workshop at the University of Zurich: "Beyond Access: Ethical, Sustainable, and Activist Perspectives in Global Digital Mental Health," hosted by Dr. Clare Killikelly. SwitchWell is built on the Reality of Duality, the recognition that people are simultaneously care seekers and caregivers, a reality that clinical systems consistently overlook. Using cloud computing and human-centred AI, the platform delivers real-time personalized mental health support through an encrypted peer support network, gamified wellness checks, and a dynamic Circle of Care. Developed through participatory, mixed methods co-design with citizens, practitioners, and interdisciplinary researchers, SwitchWell embeds ethical AI and data governance from the ground up. Currently beta-tested across 30+ countries. 🌍 Thank you to Dr. Clare Killikelly and the University of Zurich for the opportunity to contribute to this conversation. 🧠 #DigitalHealth #MentalHealth #SwitchWell #HumanCentredAI #EthicalAI #CitizenScience #GlobalHealth #DEPtHLab #cominded