Meet the People Behind the Hub
Led by Dr. Kate Tilleczek, the Young Lives Research Lab pursues research built in reciprocal collaboration with youth and youth-serving groups across countries, communities, cultures and worldviews.
In 2024–2025, the Lab launched a national research study into Youth and Digital Wellbeing in partnership with youth-serving organizations and a dedicated Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).
This study builds on earlier interviews with Millennials about digital life. We reconnected with some of them years later, and also spoke with 36 Gen Z youth aged 15–29 about their digital experiences, challenges, and hopes for wellbeing.
From those interviews came our Digital Portraits—short videos created by youth themselves or by filmmaker Dr. Mark Terry—showcasing insights, reflections, and lived experiences across different dimensions of wellbeing.
The Digital Wellbeing Hub is a pilot project of the Young Lives Research Lab at York University.
The Youth Advisory Committee:
In partnership with the Students Commission of Canada (SCC), we invited 11 youth from across Canada to help shape the study.
Click here or scroll to meet YAC members.
Concept Drawing - Elvin Velasco
Illustration Design - Keagan Joseph
Meeting monthly, the Youth Advisory Committee edited interview questions, guided the Hub’s content and design, and ensured the work reflects youth voices. With support from SCC staff, they also engaged over 150 youth through two national SCC conferences.
At the same time, another part of our team synthesized existing research, identifying key insights and resources related to digital wellbeing. These are shared through our Research Snapshots and curated Resources.
This site is just the beginning. We’re excited to keep growing the Hub with and for youth, and to explore and support the many ways young people and their communities pursue wellbeing.
All photos on the Hub are original photos taken by members of the Youth Advisory Committee.
All illustrations by:
Zakirah Allain
Youth Advisory Committee Member, Young Lives Research Lab
Meet the Team
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![A black-and-white photo of a smiling woman with glasses and light-colored hair styled in a bun, wearing a winter coat with a fur-lined hood and a patterned scarf, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.]()
Dr. Kate Tilleczek
Founder & Director of
Young Lives Research Lab (YLRL)Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in
Youth, Education & Global Good -
![A man with a beard and mustache, with hair tied back, sitting in an outdoor setting with plants and a thatched roof in the background.]()
Dr. James Stinson
Co-Principal Investigator & Snapshot Author
Senior Research Associate
Evaluation Specialist -
![A woman with curly dark hair smiling at the camera, sitting at a table in an indoor setting with wooden paneling in the background.]()
Dr. Roxanne Cohen
Youth Engagement Lead & Website Developer
Senior Research Associate
Rooted and Rising Co-Director -
![A woman with shoulder-length, wavy hair standing against a plain wall, wearing a dark top, in black and white.]()
Debbie MacDonald
Senior Research Associate &
International Project Manager at
Young Lives Research Lab -
![A woman with glasses and buzz cut hair in a sweatshift and jacket]()
Chantelle Edwards
Co-led Youth Advisory Committee
Lead, 21st Century Skills for the Students Commission of Canada. -
![Young woman with long hair smiling outdoors with hot air balloons behind her]()
Emma Cognet
Co-Led Youth Advisory Committee
Network Coordinator at the Students Commission of Canada (SCC). -
![Black and white portrait of a smiling middle-aged man with gray hair, wearing a suit and tie.]()
Dr. Mark Terry
Developed Digital Portraits
Filmmaker in Residence
Youth Climate Report -
![A smiling bearded man with glasses, wearing a dark shirt, with arms crossed, seated indoors.]()
Dr. Ron Srigley
Co-Investigator in this project
Writer in Residence & Co-Investigator
Writer, Scholar, and Educator
Meet some of the Youth Advisory Committee Members
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![Smiling young woman against a breick wall]()
Nafisa Nowrin
Hi! My name is Nafisa Nowrin, and I’m currently studying Life Sciences at the University of Toronto. I’m passionate about the intersection of technology, mental health, and design, and curious about how digital spaces shape our everyday experiences and wellbeing. I’m especially interested in how thoughtful, inclusive design can transform user experiences and help people feel supported online. Being part of the Youth Advisory Community has allowed me to put these ideas into action and collaborate with like-minded peers to promote healthier digital environments.
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![Young woman with blonde long hair and a blue sweater smiling with a window behind her]()
Emma Ann MacDougall
Emma is a first-year student at UPEI studying Diversity and Social Justice Studies. She’s passionate about youth leadership, equality, and making a difference in her community. Born and lives in Hartsville, PEI.
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Ntongwe
I’m a grade 12 at St Patrick Secondary School, Toronto.
I enjoy playing basketball, listening to music and playing video games.
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![Feyrous - young Black woman smiling on a boardwalk with houses behind her]()
Feyrous Beserat
My name is Feyrous, and I’m someone who loves learning, creating, and making new connections. I’m currently a Bachelor of Arts student at the University of New Brunswick, exploring the ideas that shape culture and community.
I’m the founder of Faraway Kitchen, where I share the flavours and stories of my heritage with others. I’m also passionate about photography and spending time in nature—capturing moments, landscapes, and the beauty around me. Through my creative work, culture, and community involvement, I aim to bring people together and inspire connection.
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Hayden Pinchin
Hayden Pinchin is a 19-year-old first year social work student from Winnipeg Manitoba. She is passionate about youth advocacy, community well-being, and helping create change to uplift people. Hayden is happiest when she’s spending time in nature, or unwinding with a good book. Hayden always brings an energetic and loving energy to any project she’s a part of!
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Viktor
Student in Saskatchewan.
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Chloe White-Meaney
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Sydney Sinclair (she/they
Whitehorse, Yukon
Student at Pearson College UWCHey there! My name is Sydney, I’m 18 years old, and am currently attending UWC Pearson College in Victoria, BC and taking part in the Climate Action Leadership Diploma. I am from the beautiful North of Canada, Whitehorse, Yukon where the mountains stand tall and the rivers run all year round. In my free time I love travelling, going on adventures in the forest, and listening to indie music! Find me high up in the trees, or on stage, I am equal parts woman of the woods and theatre kid.
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![young woman in patterned top taking selfie with phone covering half of face]()
Serin Ali
Lives in Saint John, New Brunswick
Logo Artist Statement
The logo designs that emerged during the visioning for the Digital Wellbeing Hub were deeply inspired by the digital and natural elements of our existence. As a collective, we are connected to these natural and digital worlds. It is very important to be aware of how we are interacting with them in harmful or supportive ways. The logos that I co-created with the digital and natural worlds are intended to represent interconnection, innovation, care-full community, and play. All of these themes are integral for current and future world building and collective well-being. It was really awesome to be a part of the creation of logos for the Digital Wellbeing Hub.
Marynil G. Muñoz (she/they), 20
Partner Organizations Behind the Hub
Young Lives Research Lab (YLRL)
We conduct unique research alongside young people and their communities to investigate their lives and experiences. We co-design educational resources and opportunities to better support wellbeing of people and planet work across three integrated areas of research:
1. Youth & the Digital Age 2. Education with/for Youth Wellbeing
3. Youth & Planetary Wellbeing
The Students Commission of Canada (SCC)
A charitable organization that purposefully works with others to ensure that young people are valued, heard and their ideas for improving themselves, the lives of their peers and communities are put into action. We achieve our purpose by:
1. Providing Youth Opportunities
2. Influencing Those Who Influence Youth
3. Storytelling, Research & Evaluation on the Impact of Youth Engagement
UNICEF Canada
UNICEF is the world’s leading organization focused on children. We work in more than 190 countries and territories, including Canada, to defend every child’s right to a childhood. In Canada, we advocate for the rights of every child and work to make Canada a great place to grow up. Did you know that Canada ranks 30th out of 38 wealthy countries for child and youth well-being?
