Human Rights Policy & Advocacy

  • legal research

  • education & awareness-raising

  • advocacy

  • making legal analysis & tools accessible

  • specialized expertise on HIV & human rights 

  • health, human rights & discrimination


Alison’s expertise in HIV criminalisation, particularly its impact on women and girls, has been transformative for the HIV Justice Network. As our (part-time) Senior Policy Analyst, she has played a pivotal role in advancing rights-based policy analysis and advocacy.

Her leadership in highlighting the injustice of punitive responses to breast/chestfeeding has been especially groundbreaking. Her meticulous research and policy development have exposed the harmful legal and social consequences faced by women living with HIV, challenging discriminatory laws and policies and advancing more just, evidence-informed approaches.

Beyond her deep legal and policy expertise, Alison has an exceptional ability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable strategies. Whether drafting policy briefs, action toolkits, engaging with key stakeholders, or shaping advocacy efforts at the global level, she brings insight, precision, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
— Edwin J. Bernard Executive Director, HIV Justice Network
I have had the pleasure of working with Alison on HIV and human rights issues for over a decade, and look for opportunities to collaborate with her whenever possible. Alison is smart, determined, strategic, and authentic, and this shines through in her advocacy work.

She is a committed feminist and proponent of social justice in many fora. I highly recommend reaching out to Alison today to determine how she can apply her considerable smarts to your cause.
— Janet Butler-McPhee, Co-Executive Director, HIV Legal Network
I work in community-based research focused on health and well-being of women living with HIV. It is essential that our entire research team (which includes women living with HIV, academics, social workers, health providers, front line service providers, and community leaders) has a comprehensive understanding of Canadian law concerning HIV non-disclosure.

We are so fortunate that Alison is our guide on such matters, including grounding us in the history and application of the law. She is masterful at transforming the complicated language of law into readily understandable information. She is an invaluable resource to our team and our research process.
— Dr Angela Kaida, Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University
Alison’s expertise is broad and comprehensive, spanning health equity, HIV, social marginalization, and the law. A dynamic and effective public speaker, Alison brings into every speaking engagement this combination of legal training, public policy expertise, and attention to issues of social justice. The result is an engaged and passionate audience each and every time!
— Professor, Dept of Health Sciences, Wilfred Laurier University
The Muslim Legal Support Centre (MLSC), a project of the Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association (CMLA), required assistance with its organizational development, in order to build the MLSC into a more effective and sustainable institution. This included the formalization of our policies and practices.

Alison was instrumental in helping us get from point A to Z — from narrowing down our vision and mission, to developing our roadmap and associated organizational policies. Our team appreciated that she was easy to work with, adapted to our ideas, and took an innovative approach.
— Saquiba Rahman, Board of Directors, CMLA