Dedicated to stopping violence before it starts.
Shift is changing the social conditions that enable violence — across Alberta and beyond.
We’re the first research-action hub of its kind in Canada. Based in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary and led by Lana Wells, the Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Shift turns knowledge into action and lasting impact.Â
Our Goal
A violence-free future is possible.
To get there, we need to focus on primary prevention by addressing root causes and stopping perpetration.
In 2010, Shift launched with a bold purpose: to prevent violence from happening in the first place.
We take up an intersectional and decolonial lens to prevent interconnected forms of gender-based violence, including:
- domestic and family violence
- intimate partner violence
- sexual violence
- adolescent dating violence
With a $3 million investment from the Brenda Strafford Foundation and the Government of Alberta in 2017, Shift was created to break the mould of traditional research — bringing communities, ideas, and action together to drive real change. At Shift, research turns insight into action and action into impact.
Through innovative, evidence-based solutions, we work to advance systems change, amend and develop prevention policies, and change practice at local, national, and global levels. We collaborate with researchers, policymakers, law enforcement, non-profit organizations, and communities to develop, test, and scale prevention strategies that address the root causes of violence.
By equipping leaders with the insights and tools they need, we aim to build safer and more equitable communities for everyone.
Our Approach
Research
We explore the leverage points for systems change, grounded in a social justice and ecological perspective.
Policy Advocacy
We champion recommendations for policy and legislative change, from design to implementation.
Knowledge Integration
We connect universities, governments, organizations, and communities in leveraging data and promising prevention practices.
Capacity Building
We provide co-leadership and support changemakers at local and systemic levels.
Our Team
Click on each picture or title to learn more about our team.
Lana Wells
Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence; Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary; Fellow and Faculty Member of the School of Public Policy, University of Calgary
Lana Wells is a top-ranked and internationally recognized expert on gender-based violence prevention, social work, and public policy.
Elena is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in the non-profit and private sectors. Elena expertly manages operations for large-scale research projects in domestic violence prevention while supervising students, conducting research, and leading Shift’s pioneering Immigrant Women Work-Integrated Learning Hub.
News At Shift
Shift acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 4, Treaty 6, and Treaty 7 territories and the traditional meeting grounds and home for many Indigenous Peoples, including Cree, Saulteaux, Niisitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, and Nakota Sioux, the Siksika, the Piikani (Peigan), the Kainai (Blood), the Tsuut’ina (Sacree), Ktunaxa, Secwépemc, Dene, Mountain Cree, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, including Chiniki, Bearpaw, and Wesley First Nations. It is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 and Region 4. We respect the Treaties that were made, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Initiated by The Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence
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