“the women’s health scholars award makes it easier to focus on my work because it affords financial stability,” erika says. recently, the award funding allowed her to present her research at the 33rd international congress of psychology in prague. “to see my research gaining traction at that level is wonderful!” when she’s at home, erika enjoys spending time with her beautiful cat severus. (photo courtesy of erika puiras)

lazy. selfish. immature. abnormal. those are some of the insults lobbed at women who choose not to have children.

erika puiras was only 24 years old when she became the target of these prejudices.

“some of the people in my life began making snide comments and pressuring me to have kids,” she says. this was in 2021 after erika had completed undergraduate and master’s degrees in psychology at lakehead and was about to begin her phd studies in clinical psychology.

“i got fed up with the stigma and decided to do something about it by using my phd dissertation to study the biases experienced by childfree women and the impact they have on women’s mental health,” erika says. “i have great respect for parents, but that doesn’t mean that other life choices aren’t equally valid.”

she wasn’t sure what kind of reaction her research would garner because this form of stigmatization wasn’t really on the public’s radar at that time, either culturally or academically. “it was a leap into the unknown—i was concerned that i wouldn’t be able to recruit enough participants for my research study,” erika says.

her topic choice, though, proved to be prophetic—erika has tapped into a divisive moment in a changing society. online or offline, it’s hard to turn around without witnessing heated debates about “childless cat ladies.” this discourse, for many, is received as an assault on women’s autonomy.

2024 women’s health scholars award for groundbreaking research

ontario’s ministry of health and long-term care recognized erika’s research in 2023 with a prestigious women’s health scholars award. now, lakehead is proud to announce that erika’s women’s health scholars award has been renewed for 2024. the purpose of the award is to help ontario attract and retain exceptional scholars who will make the province a leader in effective health services and health care for women.

“only a handful of these awards are granted each year, with fierce competition from across the province and from much larger universities,” says lakehead’s faculty of health and behavioural sciences dean dr. mirella stroink. “it’s a reflection of erika’s outstanding research track record and the support of lakehead’s doctoral program that she has received a women’s health scholars award.”

“women’s decisions to have or not have a family have real consequences in terms of social judgment,” dr. stroink adds, “and recent political rhetoric has been demonizing women who don’t have children.”

punished and dismissed for not being mothers

erika is now analyzing research data gathered from studies she conducted that surveyed over 1,300 participants from across canada and the united states, as well as from thunder bay. she describes the findings that are emerging as disturbing.

“women are being subjected to physical and verbal abuse from family members—and people outside their family—because they are childfree,” erika says. many study respondents also faced both workplace discrimination and stigmatization by their health-care providers “women frequently mention being denied medical care—doctors refusing to give them iuds and other forms of birth control they’ve requested or refusing to sterilize them without their partners’ consent, which often lowers their trust in health care providers.”

there was a common message that erika heard again and again from the study participants. “they wanted people to know that their worth as women—and as human beings—shouldn’t be defined by whether or not they have children.”

august 2, 2024 – orillia, ont.

dr. linda rodenburg has been appointed the new principal, orillia campus at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 . her position took effect august 1, 2024.

“i would like to congratulate dr. linda rodenburg on her appointment to this leadership position at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 ,” says dr. gillian siddall, president and vice-chancellor. “i look forward to working closely with her as we lead the orillia campus, 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 , and the community on an exciting path forward over the next five to 10 years.”

under the guidance of the president, the principal oversees the strategic direction and operation of the orillia campus. the role is responsible for championing the university’s mission, engaging in community outreach, promoting university programs, and advancing local partnerships. in this role, rodenburg will work closely with 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 , faculty and staff on campus, and collaborate with government, industry and other stakeholders to foster economic development initiatives in orillia and across the region.

one of the founding faculty members of the orillia campus, rodenburg is highly regarded as a teacher, mentor, and leader. in 2018, she founded the office of community engagement lifelong learning, with the mandate to offer non-traditional learning opportunities for all ages as well as professional development opportunities. as a lecturer in the department of english, she taught courses in english and interdisciplinary studies, and her research has focused on indigenous and māori stories in relation to canada and new zealand. her academic work has focused on how stories construct a sense of culture within a place.

“i have a long history with lakehead in both thunder bay and orillia, and i am very grateful for this opportunity to take this next step,” rodenburg says. “the orillia campus is experiencing an incredible moment of growth, and i look forward to working with the president and executive team to move the vision for this university forward within this community that i love and call home.”

rodenburg is passionate about building partnerships, both internally and externally, that advance lakehead’s strategic priorities, enable excellence in research, support inclusive communities, and create opportunities for learning and student success.

“we are an accessible institution that is embedded in the communities we serve through partnerships and relationships forged with business, industry, and municipal government. i look forward to leaning into those relationships as we expand our impact throughout the county of simcoe.”

rodenburg earned her honours bachelor of arts in english concurrently with her bachelor of education degree at lakehead in 1999. she completed her masters in english at the university of guelph before traveling to new zealand to complete her phd at the university of otago on a commonwealth scholarship. she returned to canada and joined the team that opened lakehead’s orillia campus in 2006.

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media: for more information or to arrange an interview, please contact the media relations team at mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

dazzling and dangerous

inside the many worlds of legendary imax filmmaker stephen low (ba’74)

a shoulder to lean on in hard times

chaplains offer hope to prisoners, but their work is being thwarted

the aliens have landed?

lakehead’s paleo-dna lab investigates claims of extraterrestrial life

mp lori idlout (ba’97) stands strong

helping the people of nunavut is her life’s mission

school beneath the treetops

whitney glage (bed’18) unlocks children’s imaginations

an explorer of inner and outer worlds

yoga put angela slomke (hbsc’92/msc’94) on a new path

sudden impact

entrepreneur lloyed lobo (beng’05) takes risks to foster innovation

new 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛  enjoy orientation week activities as they begin their university journey at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 .

august 28, 2024 – thunder bay and orillia, ont.

the communities of thunder bay and orillia, home to 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 ’s two campuses, are about to swell in size as new and returning 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 from across the country and around the world begin a new school year.

the university is ready to welcome close to 9,000 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 this fall, with 6,800 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 heading to thunder bay and just over 2,000 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 en route to orillia. of the total number of 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 enrolled, an anticipated 1,900 international 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 will join lakehead from over 80 countries worldwide.

“the start of a new school year is such an exciting time for new and returning 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 , their families, faculty and staff, and the communities of thunder bay and simcoe county,” said dr. gillian siddall, president and vice-chancellor. “lakehead lies at the heart of the communities we proudly serve. our 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 , faculty and staff make deep impacts on thunder bay and simcoe county through employment and economic contributions, volunteerism and community work, and for many, by falling in love with these amazing communities and staying to build their lives here after they graduate.”

a local economic powerhouse, 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 ’s annual economic impact in northwestern ontario is $2.4 billion and $294.5 million in orillia. with an astonishing track record of helping graduates enter the workforce, often locally, 97.4% of lakehead graduates are employed within two years of completing their degrees, and 90.1% of 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 get jobs directly related to their studies.

阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 is the only comprehensive university serving northern ontario and the orillia campus stands as simcoe county’s local university, meeting the needs of a rapidly growing population.

“what makes lakehead special, is that we’re known as a university that opens doors for people – doors that for many 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 , may have felt like a barrier before they found their way forward through lakehead,” said dr. siddall. “lakehead is about providing access, support and educational excellence, and the outcomes for 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 are remarkable. the lakehead difference is that we take a student with potential, wrap them with the support they need—support they may not find at larger institutions—and they thrive. our 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 graduate with confidence and skills, ready to contribute to the workforce. we take potential and turn it into success – that’s what we do here.”

part of lakehead’s formula for success is providing 100% of 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 with experiential learning opportunities. over 80% of lakehead 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 participate in work-integrated learning experiences during their undergraduate degree made possible through partnerships with local industries, municipalities and community organizations.

warmly welcoming new 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 is central to the lakehead experience and orientation kicks off this week with special activities for new 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 , many who are arriving in their new home community for the first time. orientation is a mix of social and practical activities to set 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 up for success, both personally and academically, including helping them navigate local banking, shopping and transit needs, in addition to academic support, and health, wellness and safety considerations.

orientation activities take place the week of august 26 and classes begin on september 3, 2024.

thunder bay, on - a new strategic partnership between 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 and spacesshared aims to help solve the growing challenge of affordable student housing in thunder bay.

an innovative online platform, spacesshared, connects 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 in need of safe and affordable housing with older adults and individuals in the community who have a spare room to rent, fostering connections and supporting the older adult population in the region. using a sophisticated algorithm, the virtual service matches 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 and landlords based on preference, location, and personality.

this new home-sharing solution will help address the growing challenge of lack of available and affordable student housing in thunder bay, in line with what communities are experiencing nationwide. at the same time as increasing supply, spacesshared encourages intergenerational engagement. lakehead is offering this unique living experience to 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 in thunder bay and orillia.

“we are committed to ensuring that 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 have access to reliable, appropriate and affordable housing solutions here in thunder bay,” said shannon foster, director of residence services at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 . “offering home sharing as a housing option for 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 removes the worry and stress associated with finding a place to live and ensures that our 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 can focus on their education and the excitement of their time at university.”

spacesshared also makes aging in place a reality for older adults by providing additional income and companionship. hosts can also offer a helpers discount, which means 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 can help with a set list of spacesshared-approved chores around the house and, in exchange for each hour of weekly assistance, their monthly rent is reduced by five per cent.

“we are thrilled to bring spacesshared to lakehead’s campuses in thunder bay and orillia,” said rylan kinnon, spacesshared ceo. “this expansion reflects our commitment to supporting 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 with affordable housing while engaging local residents in a way that strengthens community ties. we are confident this collaboration will create new opportunities for connection and growth, benefitting both 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 and the broader community of thunder bay.”

safety is also a priority for spacesshared. both 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 and hosts must verify their identity, undergo background checks, and follow strict guidelines to ensure a safe and supportive living environment.

阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 is committed to increasing access to student housing in a multitude of ways, including adding 47 new on-campus residence rooms and 65 new beds in thunder bay this year, and reintroducing a double occupancy option at a lower price point with the added social benefit of having a built-in roommate.

do you or someone you know have a space to share? learn more about home-sharing, or register for a free account as a host or a student, at www.spacesshared.ca.

阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 alumni bookstore is now offering a 15% discount on all regularly priced clothing and gift merchandise to all lakehead employees and alumni. come on down to the bookstore to get all your lakehead swag!

*regular priced clothing and gift merchandise only, some exclusions may apply

*offer only valid in-store 

阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 alumni bookstore is ready and willing to fulfill all your custom clothing/gift needs. we work with dozens of vendors that specialize in customizing just about anything from hoodies to stickers. there is also the added benefit of our ‘cost + 10%’ pricing structure and the ability to charge directly to a budget code and let’s not forget the tax savings. let us take the workload off your plates and reach out for a quote today!

please contact meghan hannam at mhannam@lakeheadu.ca for a quote on your next custom order or come on down to the bookstore for more information.

the research and innovation bulletin is distributed weekly every tuesday by the office of research services and includes information on research funding opportunities, events and workshops and updates from our funding partners.

checkout the latest version of our bulletin, by clicking here.

july 18, 2024 – thunder bay, ont.

a national initiative, the access open minds indigenous youth mental health and wellness network, to enhance indigenous youth mental health services, co-led by researchers from 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 and mcgill university, has received $1.45 million from the canadian institutes of health research (cihr).

lakehead’s dr. christopher mushquash, canada research chair in indigenous mental health and addiction, professor in the department of psychology, vice president research at the thunder bay regional health sciences centre and chief scientist, thunder bay regional health research institute, and mcgill’s dr. srividya iyer, tier 1 canada research chair in youth, mental health, and learning health systems and professor in the department of psychiatry, are leading the five-year project. this initiative will strengthen capacity amongst indigenous communities and integrated youth services (iys) to provide culturally affirming, high quality and responsive mental health services for indigenous youth.

it brings together youth, elders, family members, researchers, communities and leading indigenous organizations, including the thunderbird partnership foundation under the leadership of dr. carol hopkins and the first peoples wellness circle under the leadership of dr. brenda restoule. dilico anishinabek family care is also a partner on the project.

"by centering indigenous knowledge and practices, we aim to create a sustainable and culturally relevant mental health support system for indigenous youth. this project is a testament to the power of collaboration and the wisdom of indigenous communities, and youth, in addressing mental health challenges," mushquash says.

indigenous youth in canada have experienced significant population growth, accompanied by growing concerns about their mental health and wellbeing. adverse childhood experiences, influenced by historical and systemic factors such as intergenerational trauma, cultural disconnection, poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage, disproportionately affect indigenous youth. limited access to health services, culturally inappropriate care and geographical barriers further exacerbate these challenges.

“we have an opportunity to listen to indigenous youth and work with them to address mental health inequities by advancing practices that centre indigenous knowledge, values and traditions in mental health and wellness services,” iyer emphasizes.

over the next five years, the interdisciplinary research team will focus on relationship building and the development of service practices, tools, interventions and training programs to shape a learning health system that will inform mental health and wellness service delivery for indigenous youth across canada. it will also help build capacity for future leaders in indigenous communities.

“by enabling primary care providers, communities, families and youth with the tools and knowledge on how to navigate the health system, we will strengthen the capacity within indigenous communities to ensure that youth-focused mental health resources are available to them,” mushquash explains.

the government of canada recently invested $59 million in the integrated youth services network of networks (iys-net) to strengthen and expand iys across canada. an innovative approach to youth-focused mental health, iys provides youth with equitable access to a range of services and supports that contribute to health. this includes mental health and substance use services, alongside primary care, peer support, work and study supports, and more. associate professor dr. aislin mushquash, adjunct professor dr. elaine toombs, and postdoctoral fellow dr. carolyn melro from 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜  are also members of this network.

mushquash concludes, “through the larger iys-net initiative, we have the opportunity to address mental health inequities, not just in indigenous communities, but for youth across canada.”

in 2023/24, 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 received almost $2.5 million in assistance from the research support fund to support the indirect costs of research, which includes costs for supporting the management of intellectual property, research and administration, ethics and regulatory compliance, research resources, research facilities, and research security.

june 24, 2024 – thunder bay and orillia, ont.

阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 has been awarded $190,580 as part of the ontario government’s second round of the ontario micro-credentials challenge fund.

this year, ontario is providing funding for 88 micro-credential projects as part of its investment of $5 million for eligible postsecondary institutions to work with industry to co-create or expand rapid training programs that respond to ontario’s evolving labour market.

“the micro-credentials challenge fund brings industry and institutions together to create programs that strengthen ontario’s workforce and economy,” said jill dunlop, minister of colleges and universities in the ontario government’s media release. “micro-credentials reflect current and local labour market needs and immediately prepare 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 for industry-relevant opportunities in their region.”

the four projects funded at lakehead include:

• archaeological monitoring and mapping for indigenous communities (ammic) program: led by the department of anthropology, this program will address the shortage of archaeological technicians in northern ontario while providing a new employment pathway for indigenous individuals in the cultural resources management (crm) industry. partners include a non-profit organization, crm industry representatives, and indigenous community representatives.
• micro-credential in health information management: led by dr. shikui wu and dr. michael s. dohan of the faculty of business administration, this micro-credential in health information management will offer the fundamentals of using technologies and tools to manage health data and information to support healthcare operations and decision-making. partners include thunder bay regional health sciences centre (tbrhsc) and 807 management services.
• risk management for indigenous land-based practitioners micro-credential: led by the school of outdoor recreation, parks and tourism’s dr. leigh potvin and dr. julie rosenthal, this micro-credential will focus on delivering risk management training for employees delivering and coordinating land-based therapeutic programming in remote outdoor settings. partners include nishnawbe aski nation, dilico anishnabek family care, and the métis nation of ontario.
• specialized skills for northern, rural, and remote health - perinatal healthcare, health leadership, mental health and addictions: this project will lead to the creation of five micro-credentials that address identified gaps in specialized skills in northern, rural, and remote health. led by the faculty of health and behavioural sciences, it also involves internal collaboration with the centre for health care ethics, centre for education and research on aging and health (cerah), and epid@work. external partners include dr. gilles arcand centre for health equity at nosm university, northwestern ontario health human resources taskforce (nwo hhr), orillia soldiers’ memorial hospital (osmh), and seven generations education institute.

these projects will be supported and offered through lakehead’s community zone, providing accessible paths to community learning, professional development, and training opportunities for communities in northwestern and central ontario.

“each of the projects funded through ontario’s micro-credential challenge fund are in response to critical training needs identified by industry partners in the region’s we serve,” said dr. michel s. beaulieu, associate vice-provost (academic). “this funding will enable lakehead to fulfill our commitment to develop non-credit programming that meets emerging labour market needs, and achieve the key priorities set out in our strategic and academic plans.”