Equity, Trust, and Resilience in Action
The Health Equity & Resilience Observatory (HERO) at the University of British Columbia transforms real-time evidence into action — protecting public trust, strengthening health systems, and enabling equitable responses in an era of global disruption.
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
HERO integrates crisis informatics and data science to create next-generation intelligence for resilience.
Bridge to Real-world Deployment
HERO innovations generate evidence to support tools that counter misinformation and strengthen decision-making in real time.
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 marginalised 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.
Impact
Over the coming five years, HERO will:
- Establish Canada’s first integrated trust intelligence capability for public health emergencies
- Support real-time response systems across health, humanitarian, and government sectors
- Generate actionable evidence informing national and global policy
- Train a new generation of researchers and practitioners in trust, AI, and resilience systems
- Advance scalable models that protect millions of people during crises
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.