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Research Themes

Child & Youth Welfare

Interdisciplinary research within this theme focuses on community and supports for children and youth. Topics include outreach activities, health and wellbeing, child trauma and informed care, youth homelessness, violence and bullying, and critical literacy with children.

Projects within this theme include:

  • SHRF Establishment Grant (2025-2028) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I), Dr. Nathalie Reid (PI) $145,064. Project title: Shifting focus: Understanding the downstream impacts of educator wellbeing on students' attendance, engagement, and wellbeing
  • CIHR Population and Public Health (2025-2026) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-PI) $100,000. Project title: Co-creating innovative digital knowledge translation tools for parents to prevent online child sexual exploitation and abuse
  • iA Financial (2025) - Dr. Lise Milne (PI), UofR Child Trauma Research Centre $10,000. Project title: Gift to support research on expecting parents
  • SHRF Align Grant (2025) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I), Dr. Nathalie Reid (PI) $9,871. Project title: Supporting Saskatchewan youth in care: Building better pathways to post-secondary education
  • SSHRC Insight Grant (2024-2030) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I), Dr. Nathalie Reid (PI) $145,064. Project title: Shifting focus: Understanding the downstream impacts of educator wellbeing on students' attendance, engagement, and wellbeing
  • SHRF Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation Solutions Impact Grant - Child and Youth Health (2024-2026) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-PI) $150,000. Project title: Bolstering the impact of the Child Trauma Research Centre: Collaborative, community-driven approaches to translating child and youth well-being research on trauma-integrated practices for service providers in Saskatchewan
  • Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Innovation Fund (2023-2028) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I) $524,106 ($150,000 in investment at the UofR). Project title: The Child and Youth Trauma Research Incubator (ThRIve) - University of Regina Regional Lab
  • SHRF Establishment Grant (2023-2026) - Dr. Gabriela Novotna (Co-I), Dr. Tristan Hopper (PI) $140,735. Project title: Enhancing community wellness programming for youth experiencing homelessness
  • CIHR Catalyst Grant Policy Research for Health System Transformation (2023-2024) - Dr. Bonnie Jeffery (Co-I), Dr. Akram Mahani (PI) (JSGS, UofR) $150,000. Project title: Cross-sectoral collaboration to improve outcomes for children/youth in vulnerable contexts
  • University of Regina Child Trauma Research Centre (CTRC) anonymous donation - Dr. Lise Milne Research Chair $300,000. Project title: In intervention and prevention approaches supporting child and youth health and well-being
  • SHRF Establishment Grant (2022-2025) - Dr. Lise Milne (PI) $119,958. Project title: Exploring the optimal conditions for implementing a trauma-focused prenatal group program in Saskatchewan: Interrupting the intergenerational cycle of trauma
  • CIHR Training Grant (2022-2028) - Dr. Lise Milne, (Co-I),150+ academic and community partners; University of Calgary$2,390,000. Project title: Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA): Health and Social Services Research Training Platform for System and Population Transformations in Girls’ and Women’s Health
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2020-2022) - Dr. Kara Fletcher (PI) $74,935. Project title: Stories to tell: A pilot podcast project for youth with lived experience of crystal meth use in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2020-2022) - Dr. Lise Milne (PI) $54,452. Project title: Supporting workers to build resilience in trauma-impacted children: A Saskatchewan pilot study in a residential program
  • SSHRC Partnership Grant (2020-2027) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I), Dr. Dephine Collin-Vézina (PI) (McGill University) $2,500,000. Project title: Canadian Consortium on Child & Youth Trauma (CCCYT): Developing cohesive intersectoral practices and policies to support trauma-impacted children and youth
  • SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant (2020-2021) - Dr. Lise Milne (PI) $21,466. Project title: Foundation-building for a trauma-informed approach to improving the well-being of adolescents and workers in group care contexts
  • CIHR Knowledge Synthesis Grant: COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity in Mental Health and Substance Use (2020) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-PI), Dr. Nathalie Reid (PI) $47,342. Project title: Translating knowledge for child welfare organizations across the Canadian Prairies: Managing the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of children, families, and workers
  • SHRF Research Connections COVID-19 Rapid Response Program (2020) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-PI), Dr. Nathalie Reid (PI) $10,000. Project title: Creating a Digital Connections Hub to support children in care in Saskatchewan during COVID-19 and beyond
  • SSHRC Connection Grant (2019/2020) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I), Dr. Delphine Collin-Vézina (PI) (McGill University) $50,000. Project title: A One-Year Series of Outreach Activities on Childhood Complex Trauma
  • U of R President's Seed Grant and McGill Centre for Research on Children and Families RBC Training Fellowship (2019 - 2021), Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I). Project title: Determining the Supports Needed for Group Home Workers to Provide Trauma-Informed Care to Children and Adolescents
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2019-2021) - Dr. Funke Oba (PI), Dr. Amanda Gebhard (Co-I) $70,535.  Project title: Investigating Schooling Experience of Black Youth in Saskatoon
  • SSHRC Insight Grant (2017-2021) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I) $155,193. Project title: In Search of Promising Approaches: Canadian Child Protection Responses to Intimate Partner Violence
Ecological Justice

Research within this theme focuses on sustainability and ecological justice as it pertains to social research areas.

Projects within this theme include:

  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2019-2021) - Dr. Darlene Chalmers (Co-I), Dr. M.J. Barrett (PI) (University of Saskatchewan) $63,569. Project title: Deepening connection in pursuit of environmental sustainability: Assessing a promising lever for shifting assuptions of separation
Health & Infectious Disease

Some of the topics within this theme include, community-based HIV/syphilis pop-up clinics, mapping needles and preventing disease, mental health for seniors living with HIV, and girls and women’s health. 

Projects within this theme include:

  • CIHR Population and Public Health (2024-2027) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (PI), Dr. Gabriela Novotna (Co-I) $332,776. Project title: Community-based pop-up strategies: A rapid assessment and response system to map needle prevalence and implement HIV and syphillis prevention interventions in Regina, Saskatchewan 
  • CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grant (2024-2025) - Dr. Andrew Eaton, Dr, Kristina Kokorelias (Co-PIs) $20,000. Project title: Planning a national older adult living with HIV action plan
  • CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grant (2024-2025) - Dr. Andrew Eaton, Dr, Kristina Kokorelias (Co-PIs) $20,000. Project title: Developing a research agenda on improving the geriatric care provided to older adults living with HIV
  • Judith Friedland (2024-2025) - Dr. Andrew Eaton, Dr, Kristina Kokorelias (Co-PIs) $4,000. Project title: The experiences and support needs of caregivers navigating end-of-life support for people with HIV: A scoping review
  • CIHR Team Grant - HIV/AIDS and STBBI Community-Based Research - Letter of Intent - Dr. Andrew Eaton (Co-I) $99,300. Project title: Exploring HIV care needs and developing HIV programming framework for migrants and ethnic minorities (MEMs) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  • Catalyst Grant: Nov Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations (2024-2025) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (Co-I) $99,395.63. Project title: Empowering health equity through prevention and self-management: Co-designing culturally tailored pre-clinical & diabetes education fro Black older adults in Peel
  • CIHR The New Investigator Forum (2024) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (PI) $3,000. Project title: Travel award to attend CIHR's Institute of Infection and Immunity New Investigator Workshop in Spring 2024 in King City, ON.
  • SHRF Establishment Grant (2024-2027) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (PI) $150,000. Project title: Mapping needles, preventing disease: Establishing feasibility of pop-up HIV and syphilis prevention among people who use drugs in Regina, Saskatchewan
  • AgeTech Advance Healthy Aging Research Grant AGE-WELL (2024-2026) - Dr. Andrew Eaton, Dr, Kristina Kokorelias (Co-PIs) $159,899. Project title: Refinement and feasbility testing of an online patient navigation platform for enhancing access to geriatric and mental health care seniors living with HIV
  • CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grant (2024-2025) - Dr. Andrew Eaton, Dr, Kristina Kokorelias (Co-PIs) $20,000. Project title: Planning a national older adult living with HIV action plan
  • CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grant (2024-2025) - Dr. Andrew Eaton, Dr, Kristina Kokorelias (Co-PIs) $20,000. Project title: Developing a research agenda on improving the geriatric care provided to older adutls living with HIV
  • The Ontario HIV Treatment Network Breaking New Ground (2024-2026) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (Co-PI), Dr, Kristina Kokorelias (PI) $150,000. Project title: Implementing a novel geriatric-HIV clinic in Toronto, Ontario
  • SHRF Impact Grant (2023-2025) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (PI) $150,000. Project title: Geographic information system real-time mapping of community needles data to target harm reduction interventions in Regina, Saskatchewan: A community-based, mixed-methods study
  • CIHR Training Grant (2022-2028) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I), Dr. Nicole Letourneau (PI) (University of Calgary) $2,239,000. Project title: Alliance against violence and adversity (AVA): Health and social services research training platform for system and population transformations in girls' and women's health
  • SSHRC Insight Grant (2022-2026) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (PI) $294,305. Project title: Identity, development, attraction, and behaviour of heterosexually-identified men who have sex with men (H-MSM)
  • CIHR Operating Grant HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research (CBR) Program (2022-2025) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (Co-PI), Dr. Kate Murzin & Dr. Sharon Walmsley (PIs) (UofT) $11,349.98. Project title: PANACHE: Preferences and needs for aging care among HIV-positive elderly people in Canada
  • CIHR Planning & Dissemination Grant (2022-2023) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (PI) $20,000. Project title: Adapting cognitive remediation group therapy as an online or hybrid intervention for people aging with HIV and cognitive concerns
  • CIHR Café Scientifique (2022-2023) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (PI), Dr. Nuelle Novik $6,000. Project title: Community connectedness for HIV and brain health: A hybrid café to share knowledge on HIV, aging, and cognition
Human-Animal Bond

This research's theme examines the human-animal bond, its necessity, challenges and advancements in promoting this unique approach to therapy.

Projects within this theme include:

  • SSHRC Connection Grant (2024) - Dr. Darlene Chalmers (Co-Applicant), Dr. Haorui Wu (PI) (Dalhousie University) $25,000. Project title: Public education workshop: Advancing human-animal bonds in disaster settings
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2023-2025) - Dr. Darlene Chalmers (Co-Applicant), Dr. Haorui Wu (PI) (Dalhousie University) $74,999. Project title: Necesities and challenges: Inititaing veterinary social work practice in Canadian veterinary heathcare
Indigenous Peoples & Decolonization

Research within this theme focuses on Indigenous populations in Canada. Current topics include reconciliation, aging-well, "Sixties Scoop", wellness, safe paths, land recognition, and cognitive remediation.

Projects within this theme include:

LGBTQ2+ Community

Some of the topics within this theme include, Filipino drag collectives, integrated health care for marginalized and immigrant communities, queer and trans youth.

Projects within this theme include:

SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2025-2026) - Dr. Fritz Pino (PI) $3,954. Project title: Photovoice and exploring the experiences of 2S/LGBTQI+Students

Mental Health & Addictions

The interdisciplinary research conducted by the SWRC Research Associates within this field addresses the universal theme using a broad range of topics.

Projects within this theme include:

  • SHRF Establishment Grant (2018-2024) - Dr. Gabriela Novotna (PI) $78,000. Project title: Exploring the experiences of substance use professionals in recovery
  • SHRF Align Grant (2025) - Dr. Gabriela Novotna (PI) $10,000. Project title: Toward continuity of care: A review of the [political] and policy discourses on substance use disorders in Saskatchewan
  • SHRF Mobilize Grant (2025-2026) - Dr. Kara Fletcher (PI) $10,000. Project title: A digital hub for strengthening relationships: Confronting the challenges of conspiracy thinking and misinformation in Saskatchewan
  • SSHRC Explore Grant (2025-2026) - Dr. Kara Fletcher (PI) $5,954. Project title: Love in the age of rage: The impact of misinformation, conspiracy theories and political polarization on intimate relationships, a pilot study
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2024-2026) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (PI) $75,000. Project title: Alternative crisis mental health response models: A knowledge-to-action study
  • Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation (2023-2026) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-PI) $10,000. Project title: Win with wellness mental health program evaluation
  • Centre for Research on Children and Families (CRCF) RBC Fellowship (2023-2024) - Dr. Kara Fletcher (PI) $3,000. Project title: Saskatchewan-wide virtual support group for loved ones affected by substance use and misuse
  • SSHRC Explore Grant (2023-2025) - Dr. Andrew Eaton (PI) $6,000. Project title: Scoping reviews of civilian and co-response crisis mental health programs
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2022-2026) - Dr. Kara Fletcher (PI) $74,935. Project title: Stories to tell: A pilot podcast project for youth with lived experience of crystal meth use in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  • SHRF Establishment Grant (2021 - 2026) - Dr. Kara Fletcher (PI) $117,213. Project title: Mental health and substance abuse treatment? Who is missing?
  • SHRF Innovations Grant (2022-2024) - Dr. Gabriela Novotna (Co-I), Dr. Anthony de Padua (PI) (UofS) $49,989. Project title: Building connections, exploring possibilities, and reducing harm for staff and persons with substance use disorders within the Lighthouse facilities
  • CIHR Project Grant (2017 - 2020) - Dr. Randy Johner and Dr. Gabriela Novotna (Co-Is) $451,350. Project title: Access to Recovery with Assistive Technology Devices
  • SHRF Establishment Grant (2017 - 2019) - Dr. Gabriela Novotna (PI) $78,200. Project title: Professional Identity Development of Addiction Counsellors in Recovery Working in Addiction Services in Saskatchewan
  • Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse - Nodes (2014 - 2019) - Dr. Darlene Chalmers (Co-I), Dr. Gabriela Novotna (Co-I) $1,750,000. Project title: Praire CRISM Node Proposal
Newcomers, Refugees & Immigrants

Research within this theme emphasizes issues faced by newcomers to Canada. Research topics include education experiences of racialized students, mental health and integration, and settlement experiences of immigrants and refugees.

Projects within this theme include:

  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2025-2027) - Dr. Kedi Zhao (PI) $74,346. Project title: Older East and Southest Asian adults' perceptions and coping strategies of anti-Asian racism in the post-pandemic era: A mix-methods exploration
  • SSHRC Partnership Development Grant (2022-2025) - Dr. Festus Moasun (Co-PI), Dr. Vivian Puplampu (PI) (UofR Faculty of Nursing) $199,098. Project title: Partnership to strengthen older racialized immigrants' social connectedness in Canada: The impacts of the living environment
  • SSHRC Explore Grant (2022-2023) - Dr. Takhmina Shokirova (PI) $5,990. Project title: International students and their lived experiences with orientation and settlement Saskatchewan
  • SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant (pending funding decision) - Dr. Amanda Gebhard (PI), Dr. Fritz Pino (Co-I) in partnership with Dr. Willow Allen - University of Victoria and SAISIA. Project title: Existing and Exacerbated Educational Inequities for Newcomer Students in COVID-19: School Settlement Workers Respond
  • CIHR Catalyst Grant HIV/AIDS and STBBI Community Based Research (2020-2021) - Dr. Fritz Pino (Co-I), Dr. Robert Lorway et al. (PI) (University of Manitoba) $40,000. Project title: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Migration, Sexual Health, and HIV/STBBI in Manitoba
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2019-2021) - Dr. Funke Oba (PI), Dr. Amanda Gebhard, (Co-I) $70,535. Project title: Investigating Schooling Experience of Black Youth in Saskatoon
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2018-2020) - Dr. Gabriela Novotna (PI), Dr. Amanda Gebhard, Dr. Funke Oba (Co-Is) $26,753. Project title: Experiences of Racialized Students in Education, Nursing, and Social Work University Programs in Saskatchewan
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (2017-2020) - Dr. Miguel Sanchez (PI) $40,000 annual funding. Project title: Faculty of Social Work Refugee Children Summer Program
Older Adults & Rural Communities

Research within this field includes projects focused on issues faced by Canada's aging population. Topics include in aging rural communities and improving the lives of older adults living with dementia.

Projects within this theme include:

  • SHRF Mobilize Grant (2025-2026) - Dr. Nuelle Novik (Project Evaluator), Kelly Van Damme (PI) $10,000. Project title: Dementia support programming and training at Remai Modern: Public awareness and staff training through art engagement
  • SHRF Innovation Grant (2023-2025) - Dr. Bonnie Jeffery (Co-I), Dr. Allison Cammer (PI) (University of Saskatchewan) $49,509. Project title: The Cognitive Kitchen: A culinary nutrition intervention to support community-dwelling caregivers of persons with dementia
  • SHRF Innovation Grant (2023-2025) - Dr. Bonnie Jeffery (Co-I), Dr. Allison Cammer (PI) (University of Saskatchewan) $19,030. Project title: The Cognitive Kitchen: An evidence-based nturition and socialization program for rural caregiver support
  • CUPE Local 5430 (2022-2023) - Dr. Nuelle Novik (PI), Dr. Bonnie Jeffery (Co-I) $25,300. Project titled: The current state of rural health care in Saskatchewan
  • Dying with Dignity Grant (2019-2020) - Dr. Kara Fletcher (PI) $10,300. Pilot project on advance requests for Medical Aid in Dying.
  • Employment and Social Development Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program (2019 - 2024) - Dr. Bonnie Jeffery (PI), Dr. Nuelle Novik and Dr. Tom McIntosh (Co-I's) $3,000,000. Project title: Interventions to Enhance Social Inclusion of Older Adults with Dementia in Saskatchewan
  • Vice-President Research Office Grant - Dr. Bonnie Jeffery (PI) $25,000. Project title: Interventions to Enhance Social Inclusion of Older Adults with Dementia in Saskatchewan
  • SHRF Research Connections (2018) - Dr. Bonnie Jeffery (PI), Dr. Tom McIntosh (Co-I) $7,000. Project title: Policy Maker-Community Summit to Address Social Isolation of Older Adults
  • CIHR Operating Grant (2014 - 2020) - Dr. Bonnie Jeffery, Dr. Nuelle Novik (Co-Is) $1,253,649. Project title: Wuskiwiy-tan! Let's Move! Aging well in a northern Saskatchewan Métis Community
Poverty & Income Inequality

Research within this theme focuses on issues surrounding poverty and income inequality. Topics within this theme include child and family poverty.

Reports within this theme include:

Social Justice

Topics within this theme include alliance against violence and adversity for transforming girls’ and women’s health.

 Projects within this theme include:

  • CIHR Training Grant (2022-2028) - Dr. Lise Milne (Co-I), Dr. Nicole Letourneau (PI) (University of Calgary) $2,390,000. Projec title: Alliance against violence and adversity (AVA): Health and social services research training platform for system and population transformations in girls' and women's health