Instructor: Jelena Brcic, PHD
Date/Time: Samedi Septembre 12, 16:00-17:00
Type: Hybrid (Virtual + In-Person)

Price: FREE

Description:

Despite the vital role they play, women remain underrepresented in Canadian Search and Rescue (SAR). This project, and corresponding talk, explore the experiences of women SAR volunteers to better understand both the challenges they face and the strengths they bring to the field, particularly in relation to recruitment, retention, and leadership opportunities. The talk will present findings from survey and qualitative data collected during 2025-2026.

In addition to quantitative results, the presentation will include lessons learned from qualitative interviews that provide context to women’s experiences within SAR organizations. The overall goal is to support more inclusive, resilient, and diverse SAR teams by highlighting success stories, identifying barriers, and offering practical considerations for future practice and policy.

Objectifs d'apprentissage

At the end of this session, participants will be able to…

1. describe key challenges and strengths identified in the experiences of women volunteers in Canadian Search and Rescue
2. identify lessons learned from qualitative data that inform recruitment, retention, and leadership opportunities within SAR organizations
3. recognize practical considerations for supporting more inclusive and resilient SAR teams based on study findings.