Life on the Streets: Approximations Between Brazil and Canada

• Grant number: 25/04206-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ana Paula Serrata Malfitano
• Grantee: Ana Carolina da Silva Almeida Prado
• Supervisor: Niki Kiepek
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Dalhousie University, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/09735-8 - Policies for the homeless population in a region of São Paulo city from the perspective of workers and beneficiaries: an analysis based on social occupational therapy, BP.DR

Abstract

This proposal results from a partnership between the Federal University of São Carlos (Brazil) and Dalhousie University (Canada), formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (UFSCar Process: 23112.019194/2024-31). Aligned with the efforts of both countries to address the homeless population (HP) issue, the project Social Injustices and Systemic Inequalities Experienced by Marginalized Populations was developed, led by Dr Niki Kiepek, funded by Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada (SSHRC Explore Grant). Both, student and the Brazilian advisor of this proposal, are formally part of the project's team. The project's methodology are guided by an approach grounded in social occupational therapy to inform occupational therapists, providing tools to address this issue. The proposal internship is connected with the ongoing PhD thesis, which discusses social policies for homeless people, based on the professionals' and homeless population views. This proposal aims to add international data to increase the scope of the local analysis. It is proposed to understand the Atlantic Canadian reality, regarding local policies for HP. The methodology is based on participatory approaches, focusing on social occupational therapy. Data collection will include visits to homelessness services, field observations, participation in professional meetings, and discussions with the supervisor about data from Brazil. It is expected that knowledge from this context will enhance data analysis on the Brazilian context and contribute to strengthening international partnerships, supporting the internationalization efforts of the postgraduate program to which the student belongs. (AU)