This symposium aims to highlight the ongoing needs and significant benefits of integrating a sex and gender lens into all research, including military and Veteran health research. The historical absence of sex and gender perspectives has resulted in acknowledged gender biases and gaps, with spillover effects for military and Veteran programming and policy. Over the past few years, there has been a concerted effort internationally, with Canada often in the lead, to integrate a sex and gender perspective into all defence-related research and policy. This symposium will explore these issues from the perspectives of CIMVHR academic research, the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces, and Veteran Affairs Canada. 

Moderator and speakers include:

• Jacqueline O'Neill, Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security, Government of Canada
• Maya Eichler, PhD, Canada Research Chair, Social Innovation and Community Engagement; Associate Professor, Mount Saint Vincent University; and Director, Centre for Social Innovation and Community Engagement in Military Affairs
• Jennifer E.C. Lee, PhD, Acting Director of Research on Personnel and Family Support, Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis, Department of National Defence
• Margaret C. McKinnon, PhD, CPsych, Homewood Chair in Mental Health and Trauma; Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University