Stephanie Begun, PhD, MSW, RSW
Dr. Stephanie Begun is an Associate Professor and RBC Chair in Applied Social Work Research at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. Her practice-based experiences in reproductive justice community organizing and policy inspired her to become a social work researcher and educator. Her current research focuses on improving the health and wellness of equity-denied youth, with particular attention to youths' reproductive and sexual health access, education, and outcomes. She is the co-founder and the co-director of the Youth Wellness Lab at the University of Toronto, a research collaborative that brings together academic researchers, community-based partners, and youth, with a shared goal of improving services and outcomes across intersecting systems by, with, and for youth. She is also Cross-Appointed Affiliated Faculty with the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, and a Faculty Affiliate with the University of Toronto School of Cities. She was named Director, Social Work Research to the Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART-GRAC), based out of the University of British Columbia.
Gajathree Ananthathurai, MSW, RSW
Gajathree (Gaja) Ananthathurai (MSW, RSW) is a Registered Social Worker, having completed her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW). Gaja joined the Youth Wellness Lab in 2023 as youth researcher, where she supports studies aimed at improving abortion access for equity deserving groups as well as understanding the outcomes of art-based interventions for families who have experienced intimate partner violence. Gaja has a research and clinical background in areas such as reproductive justice, gender-based violence, complex mental health (with a focus on psychosis), developmental disability and children's rehabilitation.
Samantha Kennedy, MSW Student
Samantha Kennedy is a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) at the University of Toronto. Specializing in Mental Health and Health, she is dedicated to applying a social justice lens to explore the biopsychosocial, spiritual, and cultural factors shaping physical and mental health outcomes. As a youth researcher with the Youth Wellness Lab, Samantha contributes to studies examining the role of social work in advancing reproductive justice. Her passions lie at the intersection of grief, loss, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Samantha’s clinical, research, and advocacy experience spans diverse areas, including abortion care, dementia care, and women’s health.
Anysha Reid-Henry, MSW, RSW
Anysha Reid-Henry (MSW, RSW), a graduate of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, serves as a Social Worker in the Women’s and Children’s Program at Scarborough Health Networks Centenary Hospital. Passionate about health equity, she has dedicated her career to advocating for the often-overlooked needs of women and youth. Her experience spans combating intimate partner violence in social service settings and exploring the intricate link between hormonal health and mental well-being during her internship at Women's College Hospital. Currently, her practice focuses on the intersectionality of systemic violence and reproductive justice, where she seeks to empower and uplift equity-deserving communities.
Annalies Smith, MSW Student
Annalies Smith is a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) at the University of Toronto. With a background in criminology and women and gender studies, Annalies is passionate about social justice and access to justice. She is a researcher with the Youth Wellness Lab involved in studies to improve abortion access for youth in Canada, using her French language skills to improve language accessibility on this project. Her clinical and research experience has touched on many different populations including children with developmental disabilities, incarcerated and criminalized individuals, the acute mental health population (focus on psychotic disorders), and women and girls.