Laurier expert alert: Mother’s Day

May 5, 2021
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9. Wilfrid Laurier University has several experts available to comment on parenting, families and motherhood:

Bree Akesson is an associate professor of social work, Canada Research Chair in Global Adversity and Well-Being, associate director of the Centre for Research on Security Practices and research associate with the International Migration Research Centre. She is an expert on war-affected and refugee children and families, with a special focus on mothers’ experiences of pregnancy and parenting. She is available to comment on refugee family issues in a variety of international contexts, including Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Uganda. Read more about her work. Contact: bakesson@wlu.ca

Tarah Brookfield, associate professor in the departments of History and Youth and Children’s Studies at Laurier’s Brantford campus, is an expert on the history of women’s suffrage in Ontario and on the history of Canadian women’s political activism and child welfare work, particularly during the World Wars and Cold War. She is also available to speak about the history of adoption and foster care, as well as maternity leaves, in Canada in the 20th century. Contact: tbrookfield@wlu.ca

Laurier Kinesiology and Physical Education Professor Paula Fletcher is an expert in the area of chronic illness/disability and caregiving. Fletcher's research explores the “lived experiences” of individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder. These experiences are examined from the views of the individual, the family members and health care professionals. Contact: pfletcher@wlu.ca

Laura MacGregor is an associate professional faculty member at Martin Luther University College and an expert on the lived experiences of parents, especially mothers, of complex-care children. She has studied the role of pastors and family physicians in providing support to parents of medically fragile children, and the ability for many mothers of children with developmental disabilities to understand their children’s unique, often non-verbal communication, and advocate for them in health care environments. Read more about her research. Contact: lmacgregor@luther.wlu.ca

Janet McLaughlin, associate professor in the Department of Community Health, is an expert on autism policy and services. Her current research explores the impact of autism and autism policies on family health and well-being, including how families’ socioeconomic status and other social determinants may influence their access to services and therapy outcomes, as well as issues within the education system for autistic students. She recently served on the Ontario Government’s Autism Advisory Panel, advising the government on autism policy reform. In 2019, with colleague Margaret Schneider, she founded the Laurier Autism Research Consortium. As the mother of a child on the autism spectrum, she is also available to speak about how social distancing measures, including the closure of schools, therapy and services, are affecting families and caretakers. Read more about her work.

McLaughlin is also an expert on migrant workers’ rights, health and safety, and compensation, especially of temporary foreign workers from Mexico and Jamaica who labour in Ontario agriculture. She can speak about mothers who’ve travelled to Canada to work as agricultural workers in order to support their families. Contact: jmclaughlin@wlu.ca

Margaret Schneider, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, focuses her research on the experience of having a disability, such as autism, from the perspective of the individual, their family and their support network. Her most recent research looks at the impacts of autism policy on service access for families, and the many equity issues surrounding such service access. In particular, she is keenly interested in access to meaningful education for children and youth with autism. Contact: mschneider@wlu.ca

Selda Sezen is an adjunct professor at Martin Luther University College and Laurier’s Muslim chaplain. Sezen specializes in culturally and spiritually diverse parenting in Canada. Her research has focused on the parenting experiences of immigrant Muslim mothers in Canadian context and the impact of faith on their parenting practices. Throughout her career in the field of community mental health, Sezen has provided counselling and spiritual care to children, youth and adults. She has been developing therapy sessions and workshops aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues and improving the well-being of individuals, couples and families. Contact: ssezen@wlu.ca