The SHERPA University Institute is a team funded by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et Culture (FRQSC) and the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS). Its research, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization activities are conducted in close collaboration with practice settings and various institutional and community partners, aiming to advance knowledge and develop better practices in frontline intervention in a multiethnic context.
SHERPA brings together around forty regular members, including university researchers and clinicians from diverse disciplinary backgrounds (psychology, social work, anthropology, nursing, transcultural psychiatry, etc.), as well as practitioner-researchers, research professionals, students, and interns from various fields. The research, evaluation, and knowledge exchange activities are carried out in close collaboration with practice settings and community partners.
Its designation as a University Institute focusing on migration and intervention in intercultural contexts makes SHERPA a key player in Quebec’s health and social services network.
1992 – Creation of the Research and Training Center at the CLSC of Côte-des-Neiges
Before the creation of the research center, the CLSC of Côte-des-Neiges was frequently approached by university researchers interested in the multiethnic characteristics of the population served by the institution and the services provided. In most cases, the CLSC’s involvement was limited to serving as a site for observation or study. The results and outcomes of the research projects were rarely shared with staff or managers. However, these stakeholders expressed a desire for a space where they could propose and develop research projects aimed at addressing concerns related to their interventions and the specific needs of their clientele. In 1992, the board of directors of the CLSC of Côte-des-Neiges officially established the Research and Training Center (CRF) to better coordinate all the research and training activities already underway at the CLSC.
1993 – Creation of the Research Team That Would Become METISS
In October 1993, an initial research team was established with start-up funding from the Conseil québécois de la recherche sociale (CQRS). This team was co-directed by a physician from the CLSC (Vania Jimenez, as Head of Family Medicine) and a university researcher (Robert Sévigny, as Scientific Director). Its primary goal was to develop research related to the multiethnic clientele, within a CLSC-University partnership model. In 2001, the team adopted the name METISS (Migration et ethnicité dans les interventions en santé et en services sociaux).
1998 – The CLSC of Côte-des-Neiges obtains University Affiliated Center (CAU) Status
The granting of University Affiliated Center status strengthened the integration of research activities at the CLSC of Côte-des-Neiges. This status formally recognized the development of a research culture within the institution by embedding research and teaching into its core mission.
1999 – Jacques Rhéaume appointed Scientific Director of the Centre de recherche et de formation
2004 – Creation of the CSSS de la Montagne: The CRF pursues its mission within this expanded framework.
2007 – A new research team joins the Centre de recherche et de formation du CSSS de la Montagne (funding ends in 2016)
In May 2007, the CSSS de la Montagne welcomed a transcultural research and intervention team (Erit). Under the scientific direction of Dr. Cécile Rousseau, the team’s main objective is to develop, evaluate and disseminate intervention and prevention practices in mental health. These practices must be culturally and contextually appropriate to the needs of immigrant and refugee children in the school environment.
2007 – The CSSS de la Montagne receives its first university-affiliated center (CAU) designation
In 2007, the CSSS de la Montagne was granted university-affiliated center (CAU) status as a new establishment, including the CLSC de Côte-des-Neiges, the CLSC Métro and the CLSC de Parc-Extension.
2011 – Cécile Rousseau appointed Scientific Director of the Affiliated University Center (CAU)
2013 – The CSSS de la Montagne Research and Training Centre becomes SHERPA
March 2015 – The CSSS de la Montagne is named Institut universitaire (IU) au regard des communautés ethnoculturelles under the scientific direction of Cécile Rousseau
April 2015 – CSSS de la Montagne joins CIUSSS West-Central Montreal
2015 – A new multidisciplinary research team, the Équipe Recherche et Action sur les Polarisations Sociales (RAPS) team, obtains funding as a partnership team.
The RAPS team, under the scientific direction of Cécile Rousseau (funding: FQRSC 2016-2020), is working to better understand why and how radicalization, a form of questioning the social status quo, can degenerate into violence, and what prevention avenues are available to preserve living together.
January 2019 – Jill Hanley appointed Scientific Director of the Institut universitaire (IU) SHERPA