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Dr. Lafrenière received her PhD from the University of McGill’s School of Social Work in 2005. She is the founding director of the Social Innovation Research Group (SIRG) which is a research and training incubator comprised of a multidisciplinary group of researchers and community practitioners dedicated to university-community collaboration. In 2013, Dr. Lafrenière was appointed as the Director of the Manulife Centre for Community Health Research (MCCHR), and will serve in this role until 2024. The MCCHR is an endowed research centre dedicated to exploring community health at a local and global level.
The guiding philosophy behind Dr. Lafrenière’s work is her belief that public intellectuals should be of service to the communities in which they operate. She currently is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Work where she teaches courses in leadership, poverty, and community interventions. Dr. Lafrenière mentors undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, and post-doctoral fellows in the “art and science” of community-based research and development.
Understanding how public intellectuals interact with equity-seeking groups and community-based organizations is my main area of interest and research. My research includes the areas of gendered violence, women's health, community development within First Nations and ethnocultural communities, as well as various women’s groups and collectives both locally and abroad.
I am also firmly committed to arts-based social development as a means for creating spaces for marginalized voices. I am currently working on several projects funded by a variety of funders, primarily in the area of women's health, community engagement, and gendered violence.
- Merit Award, Wilfrid Laurier University (2019)
- Laurier Faculty Award for Service Excellence and Community Engagement (2019)
- Merit Award, Wilfrid Laurier University (2017)
- Merit Award, Wilfrid Laurier University (2016)
- Merit Award, Wilfrid Laurier University (2013)
- Leading Women Building Communities Award (Leadership Award) – Ontario Women’s Directorate (2013)
- Laurier 100 Women Award (2011)
- Inclusion Award, City of Kitchener (2010)
- Merit Award, Wilfrid Laurier University (2006)
- Award for contribution to the Co-operative Movement, Conseil de la coopération de l’Ontario (2004)
- Merit Award, Wilfrid Laurier University (2004)
Students interested in developing skills in community-based research are invited to connect with me as there are opportunities for internships and work placements within the Social Innovation Research Group (SIRG) and the Manulife Centre for Community Health Research (MCCHR).
I am open to working with MSW thesis students, doctoral, and post-doctoral candidates interested in the area of university-community collaboration, arts-based social development, and women and gender issues.
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Shizha, E., Wilson-Forsberg, S., Masakure, O., Mfoafo-M’Carthy, M., & Lafrenière, G. (2020). Stereotyping High School Immigrant African Male Students in Pursuit of Postsecondary Education. In Critical Theorizations of Education (pp. 143-156). Brill Sense.
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Wilson, S., Masekura, O., Shiza, E., McCarthy Mfuafo, M., & Lafrenière, G. (2018). Disrupting an Imposed Racial Identity or Performing the Model Minority? The Pursuit of Postsecondary Education by Young African Immigrant Men in Southern Ontario, Canada. Race, Ethnicity and Education Journal.
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Suarez, E., Lafrenière, G., Harrison, J. (2016). Scoping Review of Interventions Supporting Mothers with Mental Illness: Key Outcomes and Challenges. Community Mental Health Journal.
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Pollock, G., Newbold, B., Lafrenière, G., & Edge, S. (2011). Discrimination and Health: Recommendations for Clinical Practice and System Improvement. Critical Social Work.
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Lafrenière, G., & Diallo, L. (2010). In the Interest of Working with Survivors of War, Torture and Organized Violence: Lessons from a University/Community Research Collaborative in South-Western, Ontario. Canadian Issues.
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Lafrenière, G., & Rowe, J. (2008). Assessment of Gaps in Services for Survivors and Perpetrators of Domestic Violence in the Waterloo Region: Moving Towards Enhanced Service. Child and Family Journal.
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Diallo, L., & Lafrenière, G. (2007). Meilleures pratiques pour les francophones oeuvrant en santé et services sociaux auprès des survivants de guerre, torture et violence organisée : un compte-rendu d’un projet de recherche. Reflets : Revue ontaroise d’intervention sociale et communautaire.
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Lafrenière,G., Dubie, D., & Henry, L. (2005). Can University/Community Collaboration Create Spaces for Aboriginal Reconciliation? Case Study of the Healing of the Seven Generations and Four Directions Community Projects and Wilfrid Laurier University. First Peoples Child and Family Review, 2(1).
- Lafrenière, G., Diallo, L., & Dubie, D. (2005). An Illustration of a Collaborative Effort Between an Academic Institution and an Aboriginal Community Based Project: Case Study of the Healing of the Seven Generations Project. Journal of Native Social Work. Community Scholarship.
- Lafrenière, G. (2016). Community Development Amongst Urban Aboriginals: Case Study of the Healing of the Seven Generations Canoe Project. In Blum, A. & Murray, S (eds), The Ethics of Care: Moral Knowledge, Communication and the Art of Caregiving. Routledge.
- Flagler-George, J., & Lafrenière, G. (2015). Reframing the Street-Based Sex Worker as a 'Good Mother'. In Badruddoja, R. & Motapanyane, M.(eds.) New Maternalisms: Tales of Motherwork (Dislodging the Unthinkable). Toronto: Demeter Press.
- Diallo, L., & Lafrenière, G. (2014). Leadership and Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Conceptual and Historical Perspectives. In Shizha, E. & Abdi, A.A (eds.) Indigenous Discourses on Knowledge and Development in Africa. Routledge.
- Lafrenière, G., & Diallo, L. (2014). Working with African Communities in the Diaspora through a University-Community Collaboration Framework: A Community Development Model. In Shizha, E (ed.) Remapping Africa in the Global Space: Sustainability, Conflicts and Educational Change. Netherlands: Sense Publishers.
- Lafrenière,G, Hoy, S., Riehl, M., & Zinabou, M. (2010). Understanding the Impact of Cooperatives on Minority Francophones in Southwestern Ontario. In Quarter, J. & Mook, L (eds.) Researching the Social Economy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
- Lafrenière, G. (2007). On the Merits of Psychological Autopsies: Why Use of Self is Important for Community Organizing Students. In Mandell, D. (ed.) Use of Selves and Power:Towards Ethical Practice. Canadian Scholars Press.
- Lafrenière, G., Diallo, L., & Dubie,D. (2005). Dancing with Turtles : Building Alliances Between Communities and the Academy. In Karumanchery, L, (ed.) Rewriting Resistance: New Perspectives on Anti-Racist Education. Detselig Publishers.
- Lafrenière, G., & Millsap, B. (1996). Getting it Together: Women and Co-operative Housing in Northern Ontario. In Kechnie, M., and Reitsma-Street, M. (eds.) Changing Lives: Women in Northern Ontario. Toronto:Dundurn Press.
- Bridault, A., & Lafrenière, G. (1990). Social History of Worker Co-operatives in Québec. In Quarter, J. & Melnyk, G. (eds.) Partners in Enterprise: the Worker Ownership Phenomenon. Montreal, QC: Blackrose Publishers.
- Hoy, S., Buckner, M., & Lafrenière, G. (2021). Case study 1a: Peer support: Canada's Breastfeeding Buddies Programme in Waterloo, Ontario. In Compendium of Skilled Breastfeeding Counselling Case Studies. UNICEF.
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Hoy, S., & Lafrenière, G. (2018). Final Report for the Elliot Lake Counselling Agency Expansion Project.
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Hoy, S., & Lafrenière, G. (2016). Succeed Clean Student Survey Results Report. Report to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
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Hoy, S., & Lafrenière, G. (2016). Evolving educational practice through 21st century communication & collaboration: Phase 2 Evaluation Report. Submitted to the Waterloo Catholic School Board.
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Lafrenière, G., Hoy, S., & Haydon, B. (2016). Uncomfortable contradictions: Enhancing Response Pathways to Gendered Violence on a University Campus. Submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Community and Correctional Services.
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Lafrenière, G., & Gordon, J. (2016). Betting on Community-Based Interventions: Facilitating Knowledge Translation of Problem Gambling in a Vulnerable Community
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Lafrenière, G., & Hoy, S. (2015). “You shouldn’t have to remember how to breathe”: Final Report on the SSHRC funded project – Understanding the Post-Shelter Experiences of Survivors of Domestic Violence.
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Harrison, J., & Lafrenière, G. (2015). "The Change Project: Ending Gendered Violence on University Campuses", Report prepared for Status of Women Canada.
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Lafrenière, G., & Flagler, J. (2014). "Sex Trade Worker Needs Assessment in the Region of Waterloo", Report prepared for the Sex Workers Action Network.
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Lafrenière, G. (2014). "Engaging Brave Discussions about Violence Against Women in Caledon and Dufferin", Status of Women Canada.
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Hill, G., & Lafrenière, G. (2014). "'Together we are Strong': Report on the Consultative Process on Health and Wellness with Aboriginal Community Stakeholders in the Waterloo Wellington Region", Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre.
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Lafrenière, G. (2013). "Developing a Neighborhood Hub in Brantford, Ontario", City of Brantford, Ontario.
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Lafrenière, G. (2013). "Report on the Third Community Conversation on Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs", Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.
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Lafrenière, G. (2013). "Diversity Matters: Report on VAW Needs of Working Professionals in Sudbury and Manitoulin", for the Sudbury Counselling Centre and the Violence against Women Sector, Sudbury and Manitoulin.
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Lafrenière,G., Hoy, S., Harrison, J., Pollock, G., & Braganza, M. (2012). "Report on Violence against Women Services and Children’s Aid Societies : Negotiating a Regional Collaborative Agreement for the Violence against Women Forum", Central West Region of Ontario.
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Lafrenière, G., & Harrison, J. (2012). "Report on the Enhancing Collaboration Forum, Violence against Women and Family and Children Services", for the Domestic Violence Review Team, Waterloo, Ontario.
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Lafrenière, G., & Braganza, M. (2012). "It Has Helped Me a Lot: On the Merits and Challenges of the Navigator Mental Health Project", for the Navigator Mental Health Working Group, Kitchener, Ontario.
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Lafrenière, G., McCallum, G., Inglefield, N., & Yungblutt, M. (2012). "We are a Sensitive Bunch: Supervision in VAW Counselling Work", for the VAW Forum, Central West Region of Ontario.
External Grants
- 2021 Co-Investigator- From Vulnerability to Resilience: Highly Skilled African Immigrants'
Experiences in the Quebec Labour Market (SSHRC IDG, $72,000) - 2019 Principal Investigator- Re-imagining the Menopausal Narrative through a Docu-theatre Initiative (SSHRC IDG, $75,000)
- 2019 Collaborator- Promoting the Transition to Postsecondary Education for African Refugee Youth in Canadian Schools (SSHRC IDG, $300,000)
- 2019 Co-Investigator- Mapping Resilience Pathways and Preferences for Help-Seeking Among Police Forces in the Context of Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries: A Community Engaged Research Project in Ontario (CIHR, $150,000)
- 2018 Principal Investigator- Program Evaluation for Human Trafficking Program at the Sexual Assault Support Centre (Contract, $7,000)
- 2018 Principal Investigator- Community Development Project Enhancing Collaboration Between 40 Shelters and Counselling Agencies (Central Region of Ontario Violence Against Women Forum, $6,000)
- 2017 Principal Investigator- Legacies of Social Welfare Work in Canada (SSHRC Connection Grant, $50,000)
- 2017 Co-Investigator- The Everyone Dies Project: Assessing volunteer recruitment and retention in region of Waterloo hospice contexts (SSHRC PEG, $25,000)
- 2016 Co-Investigator- 21st Century Learning: An Evaluation of the Waterloo Region Catholic School Board Initiatives (Waterloo Region Catholic School Board, $50,000)
- 2016 Principal Investigator- Evaluation of Survivor Services in Northeastern Ontario: Case Study of Elliot Lake (Ontario Women's Directorate, $53,000)
Internal Laurier Grants
- 2019 Landscapes of Online Learning Initiative for WLU Faculty (LOLI Project): Addressing Significant Training Gaps and Barriers through the Development of Online Training Webisodes Strategic Academic Plan Advancement Fund, WLU ($25,000)
- 2018 Bystander Workshop Online Development Grant Student Levy Fund, WLU ($25,000)
- 2017 Bystander Workshop Development Grant Student Levy Fund, WLU ($35,000)
Contact Info:
F: 519.888.9732
Office location: FSW-310
Office hours: By appointment.
Languages spoken: English, French, Spanish
Affiliated sites: