Karen Gallant (She/Her), PhD

Education

• PhD - Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo, Ontario Canada, 2011
• Certificate in University Teaching - Centre for Teaching Excellence, University of Waterloo, Ontario Canada, 2008
• MSc - Planning, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph, Ontario Canada, 2006
• Bachelor of Journalism - University of King's College, Nova Scotia Canada, 1999
• Honors BSc (Chemistry) - Mount Allison University, New Brunswick Canada, 1998

Bio

​​My research examines and highlights the role of community-based recreation settings and experiences in facilitating social inclusion, and explores the nature and implications of those interactions for enhanced wellbeing. Drawing on qualitative, community-based methodologies, I explore the role of leisure in places that are part of peoples’ everyday lives, and the contributions of these leisure experiences to belonging, sense of community, and power for equity-deserving groups, including people living with mental health challenges, and newcomers. As a faculty member in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University, I also teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including supervising Honours and graduate students.

​I welcome inquiries from potential graduate students who are interested in leisure studies, particularly the areas described above.​

In 2020 Dr. Gallant was cross appointed to the School of Occupational Therapy at Dalhousie University and was the recipient of the Dalhousie Faculty of Health Teaching Excellence Award in 2018.