Odette Murara

Biography:

Dr. Odette Murara is a researcher and an Adjunct Assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. She holds community-based research experience with marginalized groups in Africa and Canada. Currently, Dr. Murara is a Co-PI on a collaborative project with an Africa-based university, focusing on adolescents and reproductive health, while leading a new funded project (PI) on substance use among Black youth in Calgary. Dr. Murara has presented in various local and international conferences, and in addition to her research and teaching experience, she has also worked as a Community Development Practitioner for more than five years. She is an active member of different academic and non-academic bodies, including the Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS); Women, Peace & Security Network Canada (WPSN-C); and Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (CRISM) Prairie Node.

Node Funded Project (Apr 2025)

Title: Addressing Substance Misuse among Black African Youth and their Families in Calgary

Principal Investigators: Odette Murara (University of Calgary), Myriam Gerber (University of Calgary)

Co-investigators/collaborators:

Dr Tanvir Turin Chowdhury, Dr Victoria Burns, Dr Ajwang Warria, Dr Abigail Seshie, Carolyn Stoney (University of Calgary), Dr Annalee Coakley (MOSAIC Refugee Clinic, Calgary), Noel Bahliby (Centre for Newcomers, Calgary), Patrics Gaheshi (Burundian Community Association, Calgary), Gar Gar (Youth Empowerment and Skills (YES) Centre, Calgary)

Description: Focusing on Black African youth aged between 18 and 25 years, this project will explore: 1. experiences of substance use – how substance use affects the social networks of immigrant or refugee youth; 2. the specific and diverse challenges the individual experiencing substance misuse face in finding support; and 3. the resources these communities need to address substance use and misuse. This is a transdisciplinary project designed for community impact through collaboration with UCalgary scholars and trainees from different disciplines. We are also partnering with community non-profit agencies such as Centre for Newcomers, Youth Empowerment and Skills (YES) Centre, and collaborating with Black community leaders in Calgary.