Research Experience

The Talking Stick Project: Aboriginal education in the TDSB, investigating stories of teaching and learning

Research Assistant (2009-2010)

Supervisor: Dr. Susan Dion, York University

- Collaboratively carried out qualitative research leading to program assessment of the Urban Aboriginal Pilot Project initiated though the Toronto District School Board

Youth and Mental Health: Addressing Stigma and Discrimination through Community-Informed Curriculum

Project Manager (2009)

Supervisor: Dr. Megan Davies, York University and Dr. E. Anne Marshall, University of Victoria

- Designed educational materials using resources from the Open Doors / Closed Ranks: Locating Mental Health after the Asylum project

Understanding Power, Appreciating Difference: A pilot project in e-learning for history students, grades 9-12

Project Coordinator & Research Assistant (2007-2008)

Supervisor: Dr. Megan Davies, York University

- Designed educational materials for the History of Madness in Canada/Histoire de la folie au Canada website, which fit into current Ontario History, Civics, and Social Studies curricula

- Completed primary and secondary research on patient experiences, institutionalization, pathology and sexuality, and patient activism in 20th century Canada to build an on-line archive for classroom use

- Assisted in writing a grant proposal with community partner, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Archives, for the Knowledge Mobilization: York Faculty Incentive Grant

- Launched educational material at Ontario History and Social Studies Teachers Association (OHASSTA) annual conference

Testimony and Historical Memory: Without Sanctuary

Graduate Assistant (2006-2007)

Supervisors: Dr. Roger Simon, Ontario Institute for the Studies in Education and Dr. Lynne Teather, Museum Studies, University of Toronto

- Contributed to the ongoing research and development of an upcoming manuscript on the presentation of ‘difficult’ subject matter in public history

- Analyzed visitor comments from the Without Sanctuary exhibit at the Chicago Historical Society (2002) to better understand the nature of historical consciousness, historical re-presentation, and historical legacy

- Assisted in the development of a museum proposal entitled “Terrible Gift: Difficult memories for the 21st century” for the Musée de la civilisation in Quebec City

- Conducted a literature review on historical context of lynching in the American South

Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History

Graduate Assistant (2006-2007)

Supervisor: Dr. Ruth Sandwell, Ontario Institute for the Studies in Education

- Prepared teacher’s guides for web publication on the Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History/Les grands mystéres del’histoire canadienne website: formatting, proofreading, fact-checking

- Redesigned student worksheets for ease of use and consistency

- Promoted project during Ontario History and Social Studies Teacher’s Association conference (November 2006 & 2007)

Women and Gender Studies Institute, University of Toronto

Research Assistant (2006-2007)

Supervisor: Dr. Alison Keith

- Conducted one-on-one PowerPoint tutoring sessions

- Assisted in running Women and Gender Studies Institute events, such as the Graduate Collaborative Symposium

- Tabulated large amounts of administrative data