Tracking Pathways: Youth Shaping Healthcare Solutions

The voices of Youth lend an important addition to community research, in every stage from design to dissemination. Centering co-design, training, accessibility, and lived experience ensures marginalized voices are included and systemic barriers are addressed. This approach builds confidence and trust while creating tangible impacts on policy, practice, and community wellbeing.In this episode of Disability Dialogues, Dr. Karan Soldatic introduces the Tracking Pathways project, which partners with marginalized youth to co-design inclusive healthcare research. Senior Research Associate Dr. Mikyung Lee interviews Nastacia Crowe-Missens, a nursing student and youth leader, who shares their experience shaping the project through lived expertise, collaborative survey design, and specialized training. Nat highlights the importance of centering youth voices and addressing root causes of health inequities. The episode demonstrates how genuine youth engagement makes research more relevant, accessible, and impactful for communities facing systemic barriers.The Tracking Pathways project, as highlighted in this episode of Disability Dialogues, sets a new standard for inclusive, community-driven research. By centering youth—especially those from marginalized backgrounds—as co-designers and leaders, the project not only produces more relevant and impactful findings but also empowers the next generation of change-makers.For researchers, practitioners, and community leaders, the message is clear: meaningful youth engagement and co-design are not just ethical imperatives—they are essential for creating research that truly addresses the needs and aspirations of diverse communities.Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:Learn about the experiences of a youth leader involved in the project and their journey into research.Understand the co-design approach in research, emphasizing collaboration between youth and researchers.Explore the role youth voices have in shaping research questions and ensuring relevance.ResourcesExplore the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing’s ⁠Website⁠Doctor Mikyung Lee and Nastacia Crowe-Missens: WebsiteDr. Karen Soldatic: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠CERC Profile⁠Toronto Metropolitan University: ⁠Website⁠SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: ⁠Website⁠ CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research: ⁠Website⁠ NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: ⁠WebsiteEnjoyed this Episode?If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Disability Dialogues is a podcast that explores bold ideas, community-led research, and inclusive practices shaping the future of healthcare and wellbeing.Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Share it with friends and colleagues. Let’s inspire more people to co-create change.Find out more about the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/Thank you for tuning in!