Jacob Williams

Research Interests: Youth & Childhood Studies, Feminist Studies, Health Inequalities and Health Justice, Community Advocacy, Disability Studies, Trans Studies

Jacob Williams (he/him) is a graduate student in Human Rights and Social Justice passionate about youth rights, health justice, grassroots advocacy, feminism, and social justice. With the guidance of his supervisor Dr. Julie C. Garlen, Jacob’s master’s thesis will engage teens as participants to investigate the impact of the rising cost of post-secondary education on teenagers’ ability to exercise autonomy within the family unit, especially on matters related to their futures. Jacob has worked as a research assistant on a number of queer, feminist, and disability focused projects for professors at Carleton and McGill, including an exhibit on the history of 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy at McGill (digital version here).

Outside of academia, Jacob is passionate about community advocacy and mutual aid. In 2022 he founded and administrated the Montreal Trans Patient Union (TPU), an advocacy group which produces resources to help trans patients navigate their healthcare and works to improve the treatment of trans patients at health clinics. In recognition of this work, he was awarded the Sheila Finestone award by McGill in 2024.