Cecilia Benoit

Cecilia Benoit is a Professor Emerita in the Department of Sociology at the University of Victoria and a scientist in the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. She is acknowledged for her thorough research and respect for the diverse communities with whom she works with. Her research focuses on social equity in health, health care and work for those who are disadvantaged and treated unfairly in Canadian society, including midwives; birthing persons and their families desiring a healthy experience of pregnancy and childbirth; street-involved youth in transition to adulthood; pregnant persons dealing with substance use, poverty and other life challenges; and adults who sell sexual services. From shaping policy on sex work and maternal care to advancing health equity, her research has challenged stigma and has helped drive meaningful change across Canada.