Stephanie Jonsson is a PhD Candidate in Gender, Feminist, and Women's studies at 91亚色, where her research focuses on the intersections of aging, queerness, and new technologies.
Stephanie鈥檚 research led to the creation of community-based pilot initiative, . After conducting a study on the barriers 2S-LGBTQ+ older adults were experiencing in accessing remote service provisions during the global pandemic, Stephanie co-founded ODLAN to address the emerging digital divide challenges 2SLGBTQIA+ communities were facing during the pandemic.
In 2022, ODLAN received a grant through the Department of Canadian Heritage, Digital Citizenship Contribution Program, a program dedicated to projects that will strengthen Canada鈥檚 resilience against online harm and disinformation. 鈥淭his research project will raise awareness and support community organizations who serve 2SLGBTQIA+ people by identifying possible digital strategies for preventing and mitigating,鈥 says Stephanie.
Andrea O'Reilly, professor in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women鈥檚 Studies, and Stephanie鈥檚 supervisor, says 鈥淪tephanie鈥檚 work is important and urgent and indeed unique in identifying the digital divide for queer elders.鈥 To raise awareness on the topic of queerphobic online hate, ODLAN will be hosting educational workshops to foster a community discussion with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizational leaders on their experiences and preventative measures implemented for personal safety.
Connect with Stephanie to learn more about her work at Stephanie@odlan.ca.