Lauren is a PhD candidate in the Psychological Studies in Education program at the University of Alberta. Her doctoral research focus is on school-based 2SLGBTQ+ resources in urban and rural Alberta. Specifically, she is interested in student-led 2SLGBTQ+ clubs, commonly known as Gender & Sexual Orientation Alliances (GSAs), and how participation in the clubs impact student mental health, peer interactions, and family relationships. Her previous employment as Alberta's Provincial GSA Coordinator at the Alberta GSA Network provided her with the privilege of working with and learning from communities across the province. Her goal is to collaborate with youth to produce research that could serve GSA students and be a valuable tool for school boards in their development of GSA clubs and resources. Lauren is an academic by day and by night she plays synth keyboards in her band Verttigo.