Equity, Trust, and Resilience in Action
The Challenge
In times of crisis — from pandemics to climate emergencies — the spread of misinformation can be as dangerous as the crises themselves. False or misleading information undermines trust in science, weakens emergency responses, and exacerbates health inequities. Despite billions invested in preparedness, societies remain vulnerable because evidence too often fails to reach decision-makers and communities with the speed, clarity, and trust required.
Traditional research systems are not designed for this reality. They generate evidence, but lack the translational pipelines and technologies to convert knowledge into timely, actionable solutions. Meanwhile, adversaries exploit information environments to spread disinformation at scale. The stakes are clear: without resilient systems rooted in equity and trust, the next crisis will deepen divides and cost lives.
Our Solution
The Health Equity & Resilience Observatory (HERO) at the University of British Columbia is dedicated to closing this gap. HERO brings together frontline clinical expertise, cutting-edge AI, and global health leadership to transform evidence into action.
Academic Depth, Frontline Credibility
HERO is founded by Dr. Meaghan Thumath, a clinician and global health leader with two decades of experience across HIV, Ebola, and COVID-19.
Scientific Direction in Frontier Tech
Led by Dr. Jamie Forrest, HERO integrates crisis informatics and data science to create next-generation intelligence for resilience.
Bridge to Real-world Deployment
HERO innovations seed Counterforce AI, a venture spin-out building tools that counter misinformation and strengthen decision-making in real time.
Together, HERO and Counterforce form a unique pipeline: from evidence → to observatory insights → to actionable systems deployed at scale.
Research Pillars
Our work is grounded in three thematic pillars where evidence generation to inform action is needed most.
Trust & Crisis Intelligence
We develop AI and data-driven tools to detect and counter misinformation, enabling informed decision-making in emergencies. Our work strengthens the information ecosystems that communities, health systems, and governments rely on during crises—from pandemics to climate disasters. By combining advanced analytics with equity-centred design, we ensure that truth and trust remain accessible when they matter most.
Resilient & Equitable Health Systems
We study and strengthen the systems that support rapid, fair, and effective responses to global health and humanitarian challenges. Through implementation science and network analysis, our research identifies how health systems can maintain equity under pressure. We work with ministries of health, international agencies, and frontline providers to build infrastructure that protects the most vulnerable during emergencies.
Equity-Driven Interventions
We design, test, and scale interventions that centre marginalized communities across health, climate, and humanitarian emergencies. Our work ensures that innovation in crisis response reflects cultural safety, human rights, and systemic resilience. From adaptive clinical trials to community-led research, we generate evidence that transforms how emergency interventions are conceived, implemented, and sustained.
Leadership
Dr. Meaghan Thumath, DPhil, MPH, RN
Principal Investigator & Founder
Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
Faculty of Applied Science
University of British Columbia
Dr. Jamie Forrest, PhD, MPH
Scientific Director
Postdoctoral Research Fellow,
Faculty of Applied Science,
University of British Columbia
Impact
Over the coming five years HERO will:
- Protect trust in science and democracy by countering harmful narratives during crises.
- Strengthen health and humanitarian systems to act quickly and fairly.
- Advance global health equity by ensuring vulnerable communities are not left behind.
- Train the next generation of scholars and practitioners in “Trust-Tech” — a new field at the intersection of equity, resilience, and AI.
Partner with HERO
We welcome collaboration with academic institutions, policy makers, community organisations, and funding partners committed to advancing equity, trust, and resilience in crisis response. Whether you’re interested in research partnerships, knowledge translation initiatives, or supporting our training programmes, we invite you to connect with our team.