Veteran and Family research training program
Overview
Researchers are increasingly seeking to integrate lived experience into studies pertaining to Veteran and Family well-being, as Veterans’ and Family members’ valuable insights often help to enrich research. To help the community build their skills and comfort with research so they can contribute more effectively, the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families is offering a free research training program designed to equip Veterans and their Families with the research knowledge and skills they need to collaborate and advise on studies, from study development to sharing findings.
This flexible program offers two different ways to participate — a workshop series and a ten-week online course. Continue reading to see which part of the program meets your goals. Please note that there is some overlapping material between the workshop series and the online course.
Option 1 — Workshop series
Composed of five online workshops taking place between October 2026 and March 2027, these introductory sessions will build awareness of how research is conducted, increase understanding of the importance of integrating lived experience into research, familiarize you with current and key findings in Veteran and Family well-being research, encourage conversation about research between people with lived experience.
- Current trends in Veteran and Family mental health research: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m., Eastern time
- This workshop will provide an overview of trends in Veteran and Family mental health research in Canada and internationally, as well as discuss the role of lived experience in shaping current research priorities and informing care.
- History of peer research in Veteran and Family research initiatives: Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 5 – 7 p.m., Eastern time
- This workshop will provide the history and evolution of community-based participatory research and peer research in the context of Veteran and Family mental health research in Canada.
- Research ethics in Veteran and Family mental health research: Tuesday, January 26, 2027, 5 – 7 p.m., Eastern time
- This workshop will provide an overview of approached to conducting research in Veteran and Family mental health and a detailed exploration of key ethical considerations, principles and practices.
- NEW! Quantitative approaches in Veteran and Family mental health research: Tuesday, February 23, 2027, 5 – 7 p.m., Eastern time
- This workshop will provide an overview and examples of quantitative research (such as survey research) approaches as they relate to Veteran and Family mental health research in Canada.
- NEW! Neuroscience approaches in Veteran and Family mental health research: Tuesday, March 23, 2027, 5 – 7 p.m., Eastern time
- This workshop will provide an overview and examples of biomedical research (such as brain imaging and clinical trials) as it related to Veteran and Family mental health research in Canada.
*Note: Check your time zones. Times are listed in Eastern time and the time difference between various time zones will vary as the series goes on.
There will be five (5) workshops held via Zoom.
- Introductory-level material: This training may be more suitable for those who are new to research and wanting to learn.
- While it is strongly encouraged, it is not mandatory to attend all five workshops.
Is this training opportunity right for you? Workshops are right for you if you…
- Are curious about learning more about research
- Can set aside two hours for each workshop you choose to attend
- Have been involved in research but want to build foundational knowledge
Please complete the expression of interest form to be added to the registration list.
Registration opening soon
Registration will remain open and Veterans and their Family members are encouraged to submit their expression of interest, even after the series has started.
Option 2 — Online course
This course includes both self-directed and live trainings for ten weeks between January and March 2027. It is designed to equip you with a strong understanding of key research concepts, build your capacity for engaging with academic and peer-reviewed literature, empower you to formulate meaningful research questions, explore effective strategies for knowledge sharing and help you confidently navigate your role within peer and community research contexts. You will also be invited to optionally participate in a study about its impact.
- Module 1: Introduction to Veteran and Family research
- Self-paced course work: Week of January 25, 2027
- Live class: Tuesday, February 2, 2027, 5 – 7 p.m., Eastern time
- Module 2: Demystifying research
- Self-paced course work: Week of February 8, 2027
- Live class: Tuesday, February 16, 2027, 5 – 7 p.m., Eastern time
- Module 3: “Why?” The research question
- Self-paced course work: Week of February 22, 2026
- Live class: Tuesday, March 2, 2027, 5 – 7 p.m., Eastern time
- Module 4: Research ethics and knowledge translation
- Self-paced course work: Week of March 8, 2027
- Live class: Tuesday, March 16, 2027, 5 – 7 p.m., Eastern time
- Module 5: Navigating the peer role in Veteran and Family research projects
- Self-paced course work: Week of March 22, 2027
- Live class: Tuesday, March 30, 2027, 5 – 7 p.m., Eastern time
- Introductory-level materials: This training may be more suitable for those who are new to research and wanting to learn.
- Five (5) live classes held via Zoom
- Five weeks of independent self-paced course work ahead of each live class
- Use of Moodle, a virtual learning platform, to access course information and instructions, scheduling information, discussion forums, and interactive course materials
- Regular readings
- Regular assignments
- Optional participation in a study about the course’s impact
Is this training opportunity right for you? The online course is right for you if you…
- Are willing to commit to the full 10-week course
- Can complete independent work
- Are willing to work in a group
- Are ready to invest in developing your research knowledge and skills
- Like a structured and progressive learning experience
- Are looking for training that can prepare you for a more active role in research
- Are interested in and able to work through course materials between face-to-face virtual sessions
Please complete the expression of interest form to be added to the registration list. Registration is based on a first come, first served basis and space is limited.
Registration opening soon
After the expression of interest closes, you will be notified within approximately 10 business days whether your registration has been accepted. If you have been selected, you will receive your login credentials and further details. If there is more interest than space available, a waitlist will be created.
Colleen Reid, PhD
Colleen Reid, PhD, is a research consultant who holds a faculty position at Douglas College and adjunct professor positions at Dalhousie University and the University of British Columbia. For over 25 years, Colleen has engaged in community-based participatory research projects focused on health, well-being and social justice for vulnerable groups. She is committed to using participatory and arts-based approaches to enable the voices, stories and wisdom of lived experience to shape the direction and outcomes of research.
Connie Uetz
Connie Uetz served in the Primary Reserve from 1987 until her release in 2013 as a Sergeant. She spent her career as a Resource Management Support Clerk, Recruiter and Military Career Counsellor, and as a Tactical Civil-Military Cooperation Operator on two tours in Afghanistan. Connie joined Atlas in September 2024 as a Peer Researcher with the Research Training Program where she has been able to grow and share her love of research and it’s benefits to the Veteran and Family community.
This training is intended for Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Veteran Family members.
To be eligible for the training program, you must:
- Be over the age of 18
- Be comfortable communicating in English
- Live in Canada
- Be a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces or Royal Canadian Mounted Police (per Veterans Affairs Canada’s definition) OR a Family member* of a Veteran
*Atlas defines Veteran Family as parents, siblings, partners/spouses, dependent and adult children, as well as carers (related or not), friends and peers, taking into account who the Veteran identifies as significant to their mental well-being.
This training is offered at no cost to Veterans and their Families.
Spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to those who meet the eligibility criteria. We encourage expressions of interest from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity. Atlas is attentive to the diversity of our network and welcomes expressions of interest from those who self-identify as women, persons with a disability/ies, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and all other Indigenous Peoples, racialized and/or 2SLGBTQIA+.
Atlas is committed to providing an accessible environment for participants in the trainings we offer. Part of this commitment is ensuring that material is compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
