The SHERPA University Institute is a leading research infrastructure supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et Culture (Quebec Society and Culture Research Fund) and the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) – Ministry of Health and Social Services. Dedicated to fostering innovation, SHERPA integrates practical expertise with academic knowledge to advance understanding and develop best practices for primary care interventions in multi-ethnic contexts.
With a diverse network of over 40 university and clinical researchers from disciplines such as psychology, social work, anthropology, nursing science, and transcultural psychiatry, SHERPA serves as a hub for multidisciplinary collaboration. Its community also includes research practitioners, professionals, students, and interns, all contributing to research, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization efforts. These activities are conducted in close partnership with healthcare providers and community organizations.
Recognized as a university institute specializing in migration and intercultural intervention, SHERPA plays a pivotal role in Quebec’s health and social services sector. Its collaborations extend to two prominent partner teams: the Équipe Migration et Ethnicité dans les Interventions en Santé et en Services Sociaux (METISS) (Migration and Ethnicity in Health and Social Service Interventions) and the Équipe de Recherche et Action sur les Polarisation Sociales (RAPS) (Research and Action on Social Polarizations). Together, these partnerships amplify SHERPA’s impact in addressing the complex challenges of an increasingly diverse society.