Making Knowledge Count: Film Portraits Examining Translating Scholarly Ideas into Action
Speaker: Dr. Dan Small
Department of Anthropology, UBC | Department of Sociology, UBC | Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society
Abstract:
Film Interview with Psychologist of Addiction Bruce Alexander: Scholarly Knowledge in Action
Dan will introduce and screen his 38-minute film interview with psychologist of addiction and octogenarian Dr. Bruce Alexander reflecting on his life and work. The introduction will describe Dan’s early relationship with Dr. Alexander, beginning as a student more than 4 decades ago and the influence of Bruce’s ideas and work (e.g. the famous Rat Park study) on Dan’s work related to the establishment of a range of harm reduction initiatives including North America’s first supervised injection facility: Insite.
About Dr. Dan Small
Dan Small is a medical anthropologist at UBC where he has taught in sociology, anthropology, the medical school and Future Global Leaders. He has developed a range of healthcare, housing and social enterprises for marginalized populations including: North America’s first supervised injection facility (Insite), a community grocery store, inner city bank, art gallery, harm reduction (e.g. syringe distribution, supervised injection, safer crack kits, managed alcohol, intravenous antibiotic treatment and a drug users resource centre), a dental clinic, detox and East Van Roasters chocolate shop for women in recovery. He has also been involved in medical regulation and medical student assessment through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (2000-2014) and Medical Council of Canada (2007-2014). Dan is the Executive Director of Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society and presently focuses on independent filmmaking.
Photo Credit: Vancouver Coastal Health
