Schedule

Speakers: Dr. Alexandra King, Dr. Malcolm King, Carrielynn Lund, Michelle Paquette Overview: Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) make up about 5% of the Canadian population, but about 8% of those under 18 years old. More than 50% live in urban environments. Indigenous engagement is a critical component of health research in Canada, consisting of both individual and community engagement; the two perspectives require a balanced approach. Learning Objectives: 1. Who are the Indigenous peoples in Canada?2. What are Indigenous ways of knowing children?3. When should the child's voice be heard?4. Why is community engagement important in Indigenous child health research?5. Why is parental/caregiver engagement critical6. Considerations for balancing community and individual perspectives

Speakers: Paula Kirton, Dr. Bukola Salami, & Dr. Carla Hilario Title: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the CIHR System Overview: This session examines how Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are embedded within the CIHR funding system. Participants will learn how EDI shapes fellowships, awards, grants, peer review, and CIHR initiatives, explore key resources and research practices, and engage in dialogue to share trainee perspectives, identify support needs, and inform the impact of CIHR EDI efforts. Learning Objectives: 1. Describe how Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles are integrated into CIHR fellowships, awards, and research grant programs.2. Identify key EDI-related resources, policies, and frameworks used by CIHR in funding and peer review processes.3. Explain current CIHR EDI-specific initiatives (e.g., CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence Early Career Transition Award) and their relevance to trainees and early-career researchers.4. Articulate trainee- and community-identified EDI support needs and provide feedback to CIHR on the impacts of its EDI initiatives.

• Learner Track
• RSVP Only

Speakers: Brittany Finlay, Dr. Kathryn Birnie, Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, Maddie Gallant Title: Reflection to Insight Part 1: Collective Sense-Making in Implementation, Engagement, and Policy Contexts Overview: This interactive session focuses on reflection and peer dialogue to support collective learning and sense-making. Structured small and large group discussions where participants will share experiences and reflections from their own research will allow attendees to learn from both facilitators and peers on how best to address challenges and uncertainties related to implementation, engagement, knowledge mobilization, and policy changes. Learning Objectives: 1. Identify shared implementation, engagement, and knowledge mobilization challenges across diverse contexts.2. Compare how policy, organizational, and system factors shape applied work.3. Surface key tensions between evidence, practice, and decision-making.

• Learner Track
• RSVP Only

Speakers: Dr. Nancy Butcher & Chelsea Bowkett Title: Good Trials Only: Integrating Evidence to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families Overview: This session will provide a practical introduction to clinical trials. Learners will explore key terminology, discuss what makes a scientifically rigorous, patient-centered trial, and discover resources to continue learning, building the skills needed to design and support trials that benefit children and families. Learning Objectives: 1. Describe key terms commonly used in clinical trials2. Explain the purpose of clinical trials and what makes a high-quality clinical trial.3. Identify resources and opportunities for learning more about clinical trials.

• Learner Track
• RSVP Only

Speaker: Dr. Karen Leslie Overview: This session will include sharing of mentor experiences in providing feedback within a mentoring relationship. Models of feedback and coaching will be shared and participants will have the opportunity to apply these in practice. Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the components of providing effective feedback2. Discuss key elements of coaching and how to bring these into mentoring3. Learn from each other’s experiences as mentors

• Mentor Track

Speakers: Dr. Mandy Archibald & Dr. Jop Jans Overview: The Illumination program aims to encourage new ways of thinking, being, and interacting with one another to encourage creativity, comfort with difference, and innovation in our respective sectors. Such creativity is integral to collectively tackling grand challenges in perinatal and child health and wellbeing. This workshop will involve working individually and collectively, across disciplinary boundaries, around what it means to be agile in our work and personal lives, appreciating that these components are intertwined. Through creative engagement, participants will explore what agility requires of us in complex, rapidly shifting contexts. Emphasis will be placed on cultivating flexibility, vulnerability, and awareness of collective and individual responsiveness — the capacities needed to pivot, learn, and move forward with intention, while allowing space for energy and play in the process. Learning Objectives: 1. Cultivate an exploratory and creative safe space to examine agility in our work and personal lives, recognizing their interconnection. 2. Strengthen individual and collective capacities for flexibility and adaptive responsiveness in complex and shifting contexts. 3. Engage creatively to respond to challenges, experiment with other perspectives and solutions, and build comfort with change to support our professional practices in perinatal, child health and wellbeing sectors.

Speakers: Dr. Oluwabukola Salami & Dr. Carla Hilario Title: Graduate Student Drop-In: Conversations on Equity, Career, and Academic Navigation Overview: Graduate students—especially those from equity-deserving backgrounds—often encounter questions for which clear guidance is hard to find. These one-on-one drop-in sessions provide a supportive space to explore academic, professional, and equity-related topics in confidence. You are welcome to bring questions or materials to discuss, which may include: • Reviewing abstracts, CVs, or scholarship applications• Navigating issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion within academia• Planning your career or academic path• Reflecting on experiences and challenges in the graduate journey Drop in for tailored, compassionate support to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

• Learner Track

Speakers: Brittany Finlay, Dr. Kathryn Birnie, Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, Maddie Gallant Title: Reflection to Insight Part 2: From Shared Challenges to Personal Strategy Overview: This session provides individualized mentorship and coaching for research questions related to implementation, engagement, knowledge mobilization, and policy. Through one-on-one conversations with team members, learners receive tailored guidance, explore challenges in depth, and reflect on project, career, and professional development needs within their specific contexts. Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss their implementation, engagement, knowledge mobilization, and policy challenges in a one-on-one mentoring context2. Receive tailored feedback and guidance aligned with their specific project, role, and career stage3. Clarify priorities, next steps, and areas of skill development related to their work

• Learner Track

Speakers: Dr. Nancy Butcher & Chelsea Bowkett Title: Mentorship and Professional Development in Clinical Trials Overview: This session offers one-on-one mentorship conversations centered around the learners’ career goals, training needs, and professional development in clinical trials. Learners are encouraged to bring questions about trial design, conduct, knowledge mobilization, and family engagement, and to discuss strategies and resources that can help support their professional and personal goals. Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss individual career goals, training needs, and questions related to best practices in clinical trial design, conduct, knowledge mobilization, and family engagement.2. Identify strategies and resources to support professional development, mentorship, and balanced careers in clinical trials.

• Learner Track

Speaker: Dr. Karen Leslie Overview: This session will introduce participants to the concept of Developmental Networks; what they are, how to analyze them and how to ensure alignment with current and future career needs. Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the concept of Developmental Networks2. Identify ways that they can support mentees in reviewing and assessing their networks.3. Consider if their own developmental networks require revision to align with current and future career needs

• Mentor Track

Overview: Take a moment to find some balance in your day by connecting with yourself, and focusing on personal wellness - whatever that means for you. We’ve set aside these two hours for you to step away from the symposium’s (and life’s) busy pace to focus on your own well-being. Whether you explore the mountain air or find a quiet corner to meditate in, we encourage you to use this time to nourish the parts of your life that often get pushed to the sidelines. Learning Objectives: 1. Engage in self-reflection to evaluate your current physical, emotional, and mental health needs2. Take time to focus on personal wellness goals or activities that you may not be able to regularly fit into your schedule Suggestions for Self-Directed Wellness Activities - Walter Phillips Gallery - The Whyte Museum Website - Banff Park Museum National Historic Site - Tunnel Mountain Trail - Banff Town - Cascade of Time Gardens Website

Explore Banff's dining and gastronomy on your own!

Chair: Dr. Gerald Giesbrecht Overview: This interactive session simulates a CIHR-style peer review committee, where participants both submit a grant application and serve as reviewers for their peers. Through structured panel discussion and mentor-guided feedback, learners will gain practical insight into how grants are evaluated, what makes an application competitive, and how to strengthen their own proposals. This hands-on experience offers a rare opportunity to see the review process from both sides of the table. As dinner will be provided, an advance RSVP is required. Learning Objectives: 1. Build grant review literacy and strengthen understanding of evaluation criteria, scoring, and decision-making.2. Enhance participants’ ability to craft competitive grant applications by engaging in structured critique, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and applying reviewer insights to their own proposals.

• Learner Track
• RSVP Only

Facilitated By: Dr. Oluwabukola Salami, Dr. Alexandra King, Dr. Malcolm King & Dr. Delores V. Mullings Overview: This session provides time for attendees who identify as Black or Indigenous to come together, get to know each other and have an open discussion. It will be facilitated by ENRICH mentors. To ensure the space remains dedicated to those communities, registration is limited to individuals who identify as Black or Indigenous. As dinner will be provided, an advance RSVP is required. Learning Objectives: 1. To connect with other Black and Indigenous members of the ENRICH network and build community

• RSVP Only