Kora DeBeck honoured as a Distinguished SFU Professor

In recognition of her research excellence and achievements, Simon Fraser University (SFU) has named Kora DeBeck a 2023 Distinguished SFU Professor.

She joins a select group of SFU researchers who have been honoured with this title by the university. 

A joint initiative of SFU’s Provost and Vice-President Academic and the Vice-President, Research and International, the Distinguished SFU Professor program recognizes SFU research faculty members of distinction who have achieved exceptional performance and distinguished accomplishments relative to their rank and years of service.

Kora DeBeck’s research focuses on drug policy and substance use among structurally vulnerable populations. Her work helps pave the way for evidence informed and equity-oriented drug policy reform. Since 2013, DeBeck has led the At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS), an open prospective cohort that follows over 1,200 street-involved young people who use drugs in Vancouver.

Her research contributions include documenting the unintended harms that result from drug criminalization and punitive approaches to substance use. Her research also brings attention to the relevance of social determinants of substance use, including adverse childhood events, colonization and intergenerational trauma, and economic insecurity.