The IRLRC's membership is composed of faculty members, students, employees and partners who develop, support or promote interdisciplinary research on issues related to children's rights and well-being.
Members of the IRLRC
Naomi B. ABRAHAMS
Ph.D. Candidate | School of Social Work | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Julie Ynès ADA TCHOUKOU
Assistant Professor | Faculty of Law | Common Law Section | University of Ottawa
Afi Edé ANAHLUI
Ph.D. Candidate | School of Social Work | Faculty of Humanities | Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Cristina ATANCE
Associate Professor | School of Psychology | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Dr Sue BENNETT
MB, ChB, FRCP, DTM&H, DRCOG, DCH, Dip Psych.
Director | Social Pediatrics | Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Full Professor | Department of Pediatrics | Faculty of Medicine | University of Ottawa
Director | Social Pediatrics | Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Full Professor | Department of Pediatrics | Faculty of Medicine | University of Ottawa
Clémence BENSA
Professor | Law Department | Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO)
Les intérêts de recherche et d'enseignement de Clémence Bensa portent principalement sur le droit de la famille et l’intérêt de l’enfant. Elle explore particulièrement la manière dont le droit évolue pour s’adapter aux nouvelles dynamiques familiales. Récemment, elle s’intéresse à la recomposition familiale et à la prise en compte par le droit de la fratrie, toujours dans une perspective axée sur les droits de l’enfant.
Clémence Bensa's research and teaching interests focus primarily on family law and the best interests of the child. She is particularly interested in how the law is evolving to adapt to new family dynamics. Recently, she has been interested in family recomposition and the consideration of siblings in law, always from a child rights perspective.
Les intérêts de recherche et d'enseignement de Clémence Bensa portent principalement sur le droit de la famille et l’intérêt de l’enfant. Elle explore particulièrement la manière dont le droit évolue pour s’adapter aux nouvelles dynamiques familiales. Récemment, elle s’intéresse à la recomposition familiale et à la prise en compte par le droit de la fratrie, toujours dans une perspective axée sur les droits de l’enfant.
Clémence Bensa's research and teaching interests focus primarily on family law and the best interests of the child. She is particularly interested in how the law is evolving to adapt to new family dynamics. Recently, she has been interested in family recomposition and the consideration of siblings in law, always from a child rights perspective.
Camila CARDEAL
Ph.D. Candidate | School of Social Works | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Camila Cardeal est assistante de recherche et membre du Collectif de recherche féministe contre la violence (FemAnVi). Elle travaille également comme assistante de recherche à l'Université Carleton dans le cadre du projet « Shaking the Movers: A Model for Exploring Intergenerational Children's Rights », qui fait partie du Partenariat international et canadien pour les droits de l'enfant (ICCRP). Ses recherches récentes portent sur la violence envers les femmes et les jeunes, la violence domestique, la recherche-action participative, le féminisme intersectionnel et les droits des enfants.
Camila Cardeal is a research assistant and a member of the Feminist Anti-Violence Research Collective (FemAnVi). She also works as a research assistant at Carleton University on the project "Shaking the Movers: A Model for Exploring Intergenerational Children’s Rights", which is part of the International and Canadian Child Rights Partnership (ICCRP). Her recent research focuses on violence against women and young people, domestic violence, participatory action research, intersectional feminism, and children’s rights.
Camila Cardeal est assistante de recherche et membre du Collectif de recherche féministe contre la violence (FemAnVi). Elle travaille également comme assistante de recherche à l'Université Carleton dans le cadre du projet « Shaking the Movers: A Model for Exploring Intergenerational Children's Rights », qui fait partie du Partenariat international et canadien pour les droits de l'enfant (ICCRP). Ses recherches récentes portent sur la violence envers les femmes et les jeunes, la violence domestique, la recherche-action participative, le féminisme intersectionnel et les droits des enfants.
Camila Cardeal is a research assistant and a member of the Feminist Anti-Violence Research Collective (FemAnVi). She also works as a research assistant at Carleton University on the project "Shaking the Movers: A Model for Exploring Intergenerational Children’s Rights", which is part of the International and Canadian Child Rights Partnership (ICCRP). Her recent research focuses on violence against women and young people, domestic violence, participatory action research, intersectional feminism, and children’s rights.
Tara M. COLLINS
Graduate Program Director & Associate Professor | School of Child and Youth Care | Faculty of Community Service | Ryerson University
Karine CROTEAU
Assistant Professor | School of Social Work | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Morgan DUMOND
Ph.D. Candidate | School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Ana Karen ESPINOSA BECERRA
Ph.D. Candidate | School of Psychology | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Ana's research focuses on developmental forensic psychology, where she explores the intersection of child development and children’s rights. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Experimental Psychology and her work examines how caregivers and other adults influence children’s well-being, reflecting my lifelong dedication to social justice and supporting at-risk populations around the globe.
Ana's research focuses on developmental forensic psychology, where she explores the intersection of child development and children’s rights. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Experimental Psychology and her work examines how caregivers and other adults influence children’s well-being, reflecting my lifelong dedication to social justice and supporting at-risk populations around the globe.
Sandrine GAGNÉ-TRUDEL
Ph.D. Candidate | Medical Biology Department | Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)
Sandrine Gagné-Trudel is also a trained occupational therapist. Her academic research focuses on the participation of children with disabilities in health services, with a rights-based and inclusive approach.
Sandrine Gagné-Trudel is also a trained occupational therapist. Her academic research focuses on the participation of children with disabilities in health services, with a rights-based and inclusive approach.
Elena GALLITTO
Postdoctoral Researcher | School of Psychology | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Lydia GAMACHE
Ph.D. Candidate (research and intervention) | School of Psychology | Faculty of Social Sciences | Université Laval
Lydia Gamache is a doctoral candidate in psychology (research and intervention) at Laval University. She is interested in working with adults and youth who have experienced traumatic events, including sexual assault. Her thesis focuses on validating a cognitive-behavioral self-treatment program to support men with post-traumatic symptoms following sexual assault.
Lydia Gamache is a doctoral candidate in psychology (research and intervention) at Laval University. She is interested in working with adults and youth who have experienced traumatic events, including sexual assault. Her thesis focuses on validating a cognitive-behavioral self-treatment program to support men with post-traumatic symptoms following sexual assault.
Stéphanie GAUDET
Full Professor & Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Citizenship and Minorities (CIRCEM)
School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Christine GERVAIS
Associate Professor | Department of Criminology | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Christine L. M. Gervais' teaching, research and advocacy endeavours focus on upholding children’s rights in the context of child/youth-perpetrated aggression and sexual harm within families, as well as in education and international development.
Christine L. M. Gervais' teaching, research and advocacy endeavours focus on upholding children’s rights in the context of child/youth-perpetrated aggression and sexual harm within families, as well as in education and international development.
Andrea KHAN
Ph.D. Candidate | School of International Development and Globalization Studies | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Child Protection Specialist | Global Affairs Canada
Child Protection Specialist | Global Affairs Canada
Kindong Eric KINCHI
Ph.D. Candidate | Faculty of Law | University of Ottawa
Kindong Eric Kinchi holds an Advanced Master’s in Development Evaluation and Management from the Institute of Development Policy (IOB), Belgium, as well as an LLM from the University of Yaoundé II, Soa, Cameroon. Eric's research focus on the intersection of law, society, and child development, particularly examining the rights of children living with disabilities to inclusive education in Cameroon.
Kindong Eric Kinchi holds an Advanced Master’s in Development Evaluation and Management from the Institute of Development Policy (IOB), Belgium, as well as an LLM from the University of Yaoundé II, Soa, Cameroon. Eric's research focus on the intersection of law, society, and child development, particularly examining the rights of children living with disabilities to inclusive education in Cameroon.
Simon LAPIERRE
Associate Professor | School of Social Work | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Clara LAPLANTE-BÉDARD
Ph.D. Candidate | Faculty of Law | University of Ottawa
Clara Laplante-Bédard is also a lawyer. Her doctoral research focuses on children's rights in the context of juvenile criminal justice, with a particular interest in the legal mechanisms governing judicial responses to young people in conflict with the law. She is particularly interested in issues of inequality and the dynamics of marginalization in the judicial treatment of these young people.
Clara Laplante-Bédard is also a lawyer. Her doctoral research focuses on children's rights in the context of juvenile criminal justice, with a particular interest in the legal mechanisms governing judicial responses to young people in conflict with the law. She is particularly interested in issues of inequality and the dynamics of marginalization in the judicial treatment of these young people.
Caroline LEPAGE
Ph.D. Candidate | Faculty of Law | Université de Montréal
Caroline Lepage has also been a notary since 2018. Her research on children's rights focuses primarily on the interaction between children's rights and civil law and on the legal capacity of minors.
Caroline Lepage has also been a notary since 2018. Her research on children's rights focuses primarily on the interaction between children's rights and civil law and on the legal capacity of minors.
Anne LEVESQUE
Assistant Professor | Faculty of Law | Common Law Section | University of Ottawa
Anne Levesque is an associate professor in the French Common Law Program at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law. Her research and publications focus on human rights, equality rights, and public interest litigation.
Anne Levesque is an associate professor in the French Common Law Program at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law. Her research and publications focus on human rights, equality rights, and public interest litigation.
Amira MAAMERI
Ph.D. in Law | Faculty of Law | University of Ottawa & Université de Bordeaux
Amira Maameri specializes in human rights law, particularly the protection of children. She has received several awards and distinctions, such as the scholarship “Parcours de vie exceptionnel” awarded by Marie-Eve Sylvestre, former Dean of the Civil Law Section at the University of Ottawa.
Amira Maameri specializes in human rights law, particularly the protection of children. She has received several awards and distinctions, such as the scholarship “Parcours de vie exceptionnel” awarded by Marie-Eve Sylvestre, former Dean of the Civil Law Section at the University of Ottawa.
Nathalie MONDAIN
Associate Professor & Director | School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Anta NIANG
Assistant Professor | Institut universitaire de premiere ligne en sante et services sociaux | École de travail social | Université de Sherbrooke
Professor Anta Niang's research interests focus primarily on decision-making in the field of youth studies. More specifically, her work addresses decision-making in relation to the prevention of criminalization, judicial practices, psychosocial interaction dynamics, and the participation of youth and families in child protection and juvenile justice systems.
Professor Anta Niang's research interests focus primarily on decision-making in the field of youth studies. More specifically, her work addresses decision-making in relation to the prevention of criminalization, judicial practices, psychosocial interaction dynamics, and the participation of youth and families in child protection and juvenile justice systems.
Mona PARÉ
Full Professor | Faculty of Law | Civil Law Section | University of Ottawa
IRLRC's Founding Member & Director of the IRLRC
IRLRC's Founding Member & Director of the IRLRC
Deborah Wendy PARKES
Ph.D. Candidate | School of International Development and Global Studies | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Elisa ROMANO
Full Professor | School of Psychology | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
The overarching goal of my applied research is to promote child and youth well-being, broadly defined as positive mental health as well as strong peer and family relationships. Given the pivotal role that families play in the lives of children and youth, my research focuses particular attention on: 1) adverse experiences within the family that can compromise well-being, namely family violence and child maltreatment; and, 2) development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions that promote child and youth well-being, in particular for maltreatment-exposed young people who are involved in the child welfare system.
The overarching goal of my applied research is to promote child and youth well-being, broadly defined as positive mental health as well as strong peer and family relationships. Given the pivotal role that families play in the lives of children and youth, my research focuses particular attention on: 1) adverse experiences within the family that can compromise well-being, namely family violence and child maltreatment; and, 2) development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions that promote child and youth well-being, in particular for maltreatment-exposed young people who are involved in the child welfare system.
Ray SINGH
Founder & Co-President | uOttawa Starts with Youth
My name is Ray. I am a former Child and Youth Worker and currently the Founder and Co-President of uOttawa Starts with Youth. My research interests focus on developmental neuroscience, particularly regarding intergenerational trauma, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and examining these themes through feminist and decolonial perspectives. I have interviewed psychotherapists and organized multiple on-campus events that incorporate art, writing, and dance as therapeutic forms of empowerment for adults who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
My name is Ray. I am a former Child and Youth Worker and currently the Founder and Co-President of uOttawa Starts with Youth. My research interests focus on developmental neuroscience, particularly regarding intergenerational trauma, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and examining these themes through feminist and decolonial perspectives. I have interviewed psychotherapists and organized multiple on-campus events that incorporate art, writing, and dance as therapeutic forms of empowerment for adults who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Valerie STEEVES
Full Professor | Department of Criminology | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
Claire TUGAULT-LAFLEUR
Assistant Professor | School of Nutrition Sciences | Faculty of Health Sciences | University of Ottawa
Claire Tugault-Lafleur's research focuses on healthy eating among children and youth, drawing on her background as a registered dietitian and integrating methods from nutrition education, public health, and behavioural sciences. Her PhD work examined food quality and intake during school hours in Canada using national survey data. She later completed a CIHR postdoctoral fellowship at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Her current research explores how nutrition and physical activity environments influence children’s behaviors, and she is involved in designing interventions to promote health and prevent chronic disease. She is a Registered Dietitian and member of several professional organizations.
Claire Tugault-Lafleur's research focuses on healthy eating among children and youth, drawing on her background as a registered dietitian and integrating methods from nutrition education, public health, and behavioural sciences. Her PhD work examined food quality and intake during school hours in Canada using national survey data. She later completed a CIHR postdoctoral fellowship at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Her current research explores how nutrition and physical activity environments influence children’s behaviors, and she is involved in designing interventions to promote health and prevent chronic disease. She is a Registered Dietitian and member of several professional organizations.
Tracy VAILLANCOURT
Full Professor | Counselling Psychology | Faculty of Education | University of Ottawa
Canada Research Chair in School-Based Mental Health and Violence Prevention
Canada Research Chair in School-Based Mental Health and Violence Prevention
Joel WESTHEIMER
Full Professor | Faculty of Education | University of Ottawa
University Research Chair in Democracy and Education
University Research Chair in Democracy and Education
Jess WHITLEY
Full Professor & Vice-Dean, Research and Professional Development | Faculty of Education | University of Ottawa
Cyndy WYLDE
Assistant Professor | School of Social Work | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Ottawa
University Research Chair in Indigenous Self-Determination
Cyndy Wylde is an Anicinapek8e and Atikamekw Nehirowisiw from the community of Pikogan in Abitibi. She completed a PhD in Indigenous Studies, specializing in Indigenous women and correctional services. With over 25 years of experience with the Correctional Service of Canada, primarily in Indigenous Initiatives, she served as an expert for Quebec Correctional Services as part of the Commission of Inquiry on Listening, Reconciliation, and Progress Between Indigenous Peoples and Quebec (CERP) from 2017 to 2019. She has also served as a political advisor to the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL). She published her first short story in May 2021 in the anthology Wapke, edited by Michel Jean. Her first essay, Émergence insoumise, was published in April 2024 in the Harangue collection by Éditions Hannenorak.
University Research Chair in Indigenous Self-Determination
Cyndy Wylde is an Anicinapek8e and Atikamekw Nehirowisiw from the community of Pikogan in Abitibi. She completed a PhD in Indigenous Studies, specializing in Indigenous women and correctional services. With over 25 years of experience with the Correctional Service of Canada, primarily in Indigenous Initiatives, she served as an expert for Quebec Correctional Services as part of the Commission of Inquiry on Listening, Reconciliation, and Progress Between Indigenous Peoples and Quebec (CERP) from 2017 to 2019. She has also served as a political advisor to the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL). She published her first short story in May 2021 in the anthology Wapke, edited by Michel Jean. Her first essay, Émergence insoumise, was published in April 2024 in the Harangue collection by Éditions Hannenorak.