Jess Whitley

University Research Chair on Inclusion, Mental Health and School Attendance

School is where most of the world’s children and youth have daily interactions with peers and adults. These experiences shape psychosocial growth at critical stages during the developmental years. When students miss school, however, empirical findings demonstrate negative short and long-term outcomes across numerous wellness indicators. This chair uses an interdisciplinary approach to explore the complex problem of absenteeism with the aim of finding collaborative, whole-community solutions.
Jess Whitley
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Jess Whitley

— University Research Chair on Inclusion, Mental Health and School Attendance

In University news

Manisha Kulkarni, Jess Whitley, Denis Lacelle, Heather Kharouba, Jean-Michel Ménard, Delphine Nakache, Emilio Alarcón, André Lecours, Sylvie Grosjean, Burak Kantarci and Angel Foster.

From quantum breakthroughs to community solutions: The 2025 University Research Chairs

The University Research Chairs return this year with a fresh set of challenges, addressing urgent issues both locally and globally.
Professor Jess Whitley and members of the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization seated around a table having a discussion.

Community-based research at uOttawa: Helping immigrant and refugee students stay in school

School absenteeism has surged post-pandemic. In one Ontario school board, the rate of elementary students missing 20 or more school days rose from 15%…
Young students wearing mask in front of a chalkboard

Post-pandemic education: What have we learned?

It's been five years since the planet went into a near total shutdown. When the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, …

In the media

Post-pandemic education: What have we learned? | Faculty of Education, March 27, 2025

Community-based research at the University of Ottawa: Helping immigrant and refugee students stay in school | Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, January 23, 2025

From quantum advances to community solutions: the University of 2025 research chairs | Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, January 21, 2025

Research Projects

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