My work history is eclectic, ranging from customer service to prospect research to grant writing. My education follows a similar pattern. I have moved from a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate to a Masters of Arts in Family Studies and Gerontology. Recently, I defended my dissertation for my Ph.D in Health and Society at McMaster University. Throughout my interdisciplinary education and work history, I have explored in-depth a diverse range of questions, such as,
- What are the common practices of public librarians and what barriers do they face when developing programs for older adults?
- How can public libraries and universities best work together to produce mutually beneficial and impactful research?
- Can public religious art be used to generate critical dialog about social issues?
- How do family members of military personnel with occupational stress injuries cultivate resiliency during the military to civilian transition?
- What makes a place for physical activity inclusive?
- How can the principle of equity shape how an office operates?
What ties these interests and questions together is an appreciation for looking at societal issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, a love of learning, and a hope for a more just and equitable society. In my research and teaching endeavors, I have enjoyed synthesizing ideas and research findings from scholarly literature and making them accessible. I strongly believe that making information and ideas user-friendly is an invaluable means of empowering people and communities.