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I joined the School of Nursing as an Assistant Professor in 2020. My journey began with a BSc. from McMaster University, followed by a BSN from the University of Toronto, and a Masters and PhD from UBC. My dissertation focused specifically on enhancing equity with gender and sexual identity and was supported by a CIHR doctoral award, UBC four Year Fellowship (4YF) and the CIHR-funded Intersections of Mental Health Perspectives in Addictions Research Training (IMPART) fellowship. My research is informed by a commitment to health equity with an emphasis on situating discrimination (structural and interpersonal) as a determinant of health. In particular, I am interested in exploring how our complex and multi-faceted social environments-inclusive to historical, political and cultural dynamics – inform health practices, perspectives and experiences of well-being for – in particular – 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. I draw on social justice and critical perspectives to appreciate the structural conditions that subject individuals, groups and populations to disadvantage while highlighting, and learning from, tremendous demonstrated resiliencies.

To operationalize my research interests, I maintain several foci of inquiry:

1. Exploration of social environments on health and well-being experiences, perspectives and practices
2. Investigation of conceptualizations of, and approaches to, promoting mental health and navigating mental health (and/or substance use) challenges
3. Application of resilience/strength-based approaches while maintaining recognition of interpersonal and structural impediments to health and well-being
4. Critical and emancipatory approaches to teaching and learning

Within the School of Nursing, I am the coordinator of the education stream (NUED) of the MN program, and serve on the graduate education and research and scholarship committees.

Selected Publications:

1. Handlovsky, I., Marcellus, L., Newton, L., Zakher, B. & Mussell, J. (2023). Clarifying contemporary conceptualizations of allyship with LGBTQ2S+ groups in the context healthcare/health settings: a scoping review protocol. JBI EvidenceSynthesis. In Press.
2. Handlovsky, I., Amato, A., Ferlatte, O., Kia, H., Gagnon, M & Worthington, C. (2023) Examining the Influence of pre-HAART experiences on older, self-identifying gay mens contemporary constructions of Quality of Life (QOL): a Canadian perspective. Journal of Homosexuality.
3. Karmann, J., Handlovsky, I., Lu, S., Moullec, G., Frohlich, K.L. & Ferlatte, O. (2023) Resilience among older adults in Quebec during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: A photovoice study. Qualitative Research in Health.
4. Handlovsky I., Wonsiak, T., Amato, A., Halpin, M., Ferlatte, O., & Kia, H. Between two pandemics: Older, gay men experiences across HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. (2023) Qualitative Research in Health.
5. Handlovsky, I., Ferlatte, O., Kia, H., Knight, R., Broom A. & Oliffe, J.L. (2022).Processes underpinning survival in gay men living with HIV and a history of suicidality Sociology of Health and Illness
6. Ferlatte, O., Handlovsky, I., Ridge, D., Chanady, T., Knight, R. & Oliffe, J.L. (2022) Understanding stigma and suicidality among gay men living with HIV: A photovoice project. SSM – Qualitative Research In Health.
7. Handlovsky, I., Bungay, V., Oliffe, J. & Johnson, J. (2020). Overcoming adversity: a grounded  theory of health management among middle-aged and older gay men. Sociology of Health and Illness 42(7), 1566-1580.
8. Handlovsky, I., Bungay, V., Oliffe, J. & Johnson, J. (2019). A qualitative investigation of mental health promotion among aging gay men. Journal of Mental Health, 4, 1-7.
9. Handlovsky, I., Bungay, V., Oliffe, J. & Johnson, J. (2018). Developing resilience: gay; men’s response to systemic discrimination. American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(5), 1473-1485.
10. Bungay, V., Handlovsky, I., Phillips, J.C. & Prescott, C. (2017). A scoping review of the literature on nursing practices with persons seeking care for sexually transmitted;infections, Journal of Clinical Nursing, 26(1), 33-48.;
11. Handlovsky, I., Bungay, V., Johnson, J. & Phillips, J.C. (2013). The process of safer crack use among women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES). Qualitative Health Research, 4, 142-162.
12. Handlovsky, I., Kolar, K. & Bungay, V. (2012). Condom use as situated in a risk context: women’s  experiences in the massage parlour industry in Vancouver, Canada;Culture, Health and Sexuality, 14(9), 1007-1020.