Hobson and Probert-Gilhooly were recognized for their outstanding scientific presentations during the 2026 ISRA World Meeting at Brock University. Named after Kirsti Lagerspetz, the society’s co-founder, who was a pioneering researcher in the study of human aggression and school-based bullying, the award is one of ISRA’s most prestigious student distinctions.
“Seeing Sarah and Melissa recognized on the international stage was a genuine highlight for me. I know how much effort went into the work behind these presentations," says Tracy Vaillancourt, professor, founder of the uOttawa Brain and Behaviour Lab and holder of the Canada Research Chair in Youth Mental Health and Violence Prevention.
"They have bright futures ahead of them, and I feel fortunate to have been part of their journey. As a supervisor, there is nothing more rewarding than watching your students succeed,” she adds.
Hobson: Importance of ‘mattering’ to others
Sarah Hobson presented research examining whether bullying victimization experiences are related to youth’s sense that they matter to others, and if these experiences differ based on their gender identity and sexual orientation.
Using data from approximately 54,000 youth who participated in Tracy Vaillancourt (uOttawa) and Daphne Korczak’s (University of Toronto) Health and Peer Relations Study, she found that adolescents who experienced more frequent bullying generally reported reduced feelings of being valued by others.
Outside of bullying experiences, gender and/or sexually diverse youth tended to report a reduced perception that they their “matter” compared to straight girls and boys. These findings highlight the importance of fostering environments where bullied and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth feel valued and cared for. Hobson's research was accepted for publication following the World Meeting.
“You can see in my smile how thrilled I was to receive this award. To be recognized at a conference filled with researchers and scholars whose work I greatly admire, while being surrounded by the lab, was surreal," says Hobson.
"This award is a reminder of the hard work and dedication I’ve invested in my graduate studies, and a reassurance that my passion for research focused on giving voice to and improving the lives of youth, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, is shining through in my work. Seeing the lab celebrate and getting to share this recognition with Melissa meant the world to me.”
Probert-Gilhooly: The need for more inclusive approaches
Melissa Probert-Gilhooly explained how gender, race and ethnicity intersect to influence whether Ontario students disclose bullying, and what happens when they do.
Based on data from over 40,000 students from the Health and Peer Relations study, findings show that BIPOC gender-diverse students were the least likely to tell someone about their experiences.
Among students who did report bullying, gender-diverse students were the least likely to say that things improved, regardless of race or ethnicity. This suggests that the greatest inequity occurs in terms of whether students feel comfortable seeking help. Schools need more inclusive, culturally responsive approaches to ensure every student feels safe reporting bullying and receives meaningful support.
“My research examines educators and how they collaborate, so hearing these results from youth voices really underscores how important educator collaboration is. I’m so proud of our lab and my colleague Sarah,” says Probert-Gilhooly.
“To be honest, I was not expecting to win this award. There were so many incredible presentations at the meeting, producing such valuable aggression research. I am so excited to be recognized, and it has reminded me of how much work I have put into my studies and who will benefit from these findings.”
Learn more about the Health and Peer Relations Study (HPRS)
Funded by the University of Ottawa’s Brain-Heart Interconnectome program, the HPRS explores the experiences of students in Ontario to, as the study website says, “provide accurate reports to schools and the school boards so that timely evidence-based decisions can be made to help promote health, reduce violence, and improve school climate.”