Society/Governance

Society explores the intersections of health, policy, and society by advancing research and governance models that address mental health, substance use, disability, and aging—linking care systems, community knowledge, and public policy to build resilient, equitable health futures.

Our Focus Areas

Straight to the heart of transformative change, centering decolonial governance, community self-determination, structural justice, policy reform, and the protection of cultural integrity through grounded, community-driven organizing.

Decolonial Governance and Community Self-Determination

Advance sovereignty and community power by strengthening Indigenous nation-building, locally controlled institutions, participatory governance, cultural and economic ownership, and pathways for repair and historical redress.

Social Justice and Structural Change

Confront systemic inequities through racial, economic, gender, LGBTQ+, disability, migrant, and youth-centred justice movements that challenge entrenched power and redistribute opportunity.

Policy Reform and Community Advocacy

Drive policy transformation across health, environment, housing, education, justice, immigration, and economic systems to secure community rights, safety, and long-term wellbeing.

Cultural Integrity and Community Organizing

Protect and revitalize cultural life by safeguarding languages, traditions, and storytelling while building creative, community-led movements rooted in identity, memory, and collective expression.

Our Approach to Sustainable Land Systems

Our approaches bridge local realities with global policy conversations, ensuring communities remain at the center of change. These pillars define how we build partnerships, produce knowledge, and advance structural justice.

Evidence to Action

Producing rigorous, community-grounded research that directly informs policy, governance, and sustainable systems change.

Community Governance & Co-Design

Embedding participatory decision-making and Indigenous/community authority into every stage of planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Cross-Regional & Diaspora Collaboration

Building transnational partnerships that strengthen shared problem-solving, South–South exchange, and global solidarity networks.

Justice, Rights & Accountability

Advancing rights-based frameworks that confront structural inequities and ensure communities can hold institutions accountable.

Innovation & Systems Design

Developing equitable tools, methodologies, and technologies that strengthen autonomy, resilience, and access across sectors.

Adaptation, Healing & Resilience

Supporting communities to rebuild, adapt, and thrive in the face of historical harms, climate pressures, and ongoing socio-political instability.

Our Work in Action

Linking research, partnerships, and community governance to drive systemic transformation. Explore our published work, active initiatives, collaborative pathways, and opportunities to engage with ISHSI across our global domains.

Publications and Reports

Research briefs, policy analyses, and knowledge papers that examine governance, justice, climate resilience, health equity, and community-led systems design across our focus regions.

Partner with Us

We collaborate with communities, institutions, and governments to co-create equitable policies, frameworks, and interventions rooted in sovereignty, cultural integrity, and long-term resilience.

Ongoing Projects

Current initiatives advancing decolonial governance, climate-health strategies, community health systems, sustainable livelihoods, and cross-regional collaboration.

Upcoming Opportunities

Calls for joint research, fellowship placements, community partnerships, and policy engagements that strengthen collective capacity and global impact.