Rural, Remote, and Northern Gendered Violence Research Program
Through funding from a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development grant and a Faculty of Health Studies/Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health grant, members of the Rural, Remote, and Northern Gendered-Violence Research Program are currently working on two research projects.
#1: A pilot project exploring the experiences of childbirth and transition to parenthood for individuals with a history of sexual violence in adulthood.
Objectives:
O1: Understand the childbirth and transition to parenthood experience of birthing individuals with a history of sexual violence in adulthood;
O2: Develop a theory grounded in the voices of participants; and
O3: Understand health professionals’ experiences supporting birthing individuals with a history of sexual violence in adulthood to refine the theory further.
#2: Understanding the lived experience of intimate partner violence and sexual violence in the rural context: A scoping review and environmental scan.
Phase I: Scoping Review
Phase II: Environmental Scan and Survey
Phase III: Dissemination
RESEARCH TEAM
Principal Investigator
Candice Waddell-Henowitch (she/her)
Candice Waddell-Henowitch is a registered psychiatric nurse, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatric Nursing, and more importantly a mom to a beautiful (and busy) 2- year old daughter. When she is not busy with work, research, and chasing after her 2-year old, she enjoys sewing, crafting, adventuring, and watching dramatic not- so real reality shows on TV with her husband. She also enjoys her work with community organizations and is currently the President of the YWCA Westman Board of Directors, a member of the YWCA Canada board of directors, and a member of the BU ELC board, where her daughter attends daycare.
Co-Investigators
Nadine Smith (she/her)
Nadine Smith is a Registered Nurse and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatric Nursing at Brandon University, with a deep commitment to promoting mental health and well-being. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active through fitness, gardening, and traveling with her family.
Andrea Thomson (she/her)
Andrea Thomson is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and Assistant Professor at Brandon University. Andrea primarily conducts qualitative research regarding health, mental health, and trauma. Andrea has over a decade of experience providing trauma-informed care in hospital, crisis, and community-based settings.
Ashley Stewart (she/her)
Ashley is a registered psychiatric nurse, raised in rural Manitoba, now living in Winnipeg with her husband and three children. Aside from nursing, she loves cooking, camping and chasing her three boys around!
Research Assistants
Krista Murray (she/her)
Krista is mom to a 3- and 4-year-old and spends her days chasing, reading books and baking with them, as well as playing fetch with her two cats. When time allows, she crochets, embroiders, and enjoys hiking. As a medical anthropologist, she is passionate about all things related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, and how best to support birthing individuals.
Hillary Derewianchuk (she/her)
Hillary has recently completed her studies at Brandon University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and a minor in religion. She aspires to pursue a career in the medical field, specifically focusing on women’s health. In her extra time, she enjoys crocheting, hiking with her rescue dog, Kylie, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Megan Van De Spiegle (she/her)
Megan is a student in the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing program at Brandon University. She has a passion for reproductive mental health, which brought her to this team. In her limited free time, she enjoys crocheting, watercolor painting, yoga, and returning to Holland, MB to visit family and friends.