People...

The Health and Education Research Group (HERG) recognizes that at the heart of its efforts is the invaluable contribution of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and cultural settings.

​Pursing these goals involves the active engagement and participation of students, academics, community members, policymakers, practitioners, Canadian researchers, and international research entities.

​It is through the collective efforts and shared vision of these participants that the HERG seeks to leverage the unique capacities, and perspectives of individual in fostering innovative, creative and effective applied research collaborations.  

Ultimately it is the strengths of these partnerships and the common pursuit of bringing out the best in people and their environments that inspires us to make a positive difference in the wellbeing, engagement and thriving of children, youth families and communities.

Executive Directors

Dr. Melissa Dockrill Garrett

Melissa is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education. Her academic interests focus on a variety of qualitative and classroom-based research in the area of inclusive practices and exceptional learners in French second language learning contexts. Currently, she is the newly appointed chief editor of the Antistasis in Education Journal.

Dr. Andrea Garner

Andrea is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick. Her 22-year teaching career spans three continents and focuses on educational practices that support autistic and neurodivergent students, and marginalized youth. Garner engages in community-driven participatory action research that emphasizes accessible methods, such as art-based and activity-based approaches, to collaboratively construct solutions to community-identified challenges with persons with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and youth facing disadvantage. Her work aims to build collective research capacity and foster self-determined action. 

   Dr. Mary Lou Batty

Mary Lou is a Teaching Professor in the Faculty of Nursing. With a broad range of expertise, Mary Lou is primarily involved with classroom, clinical teaching and resource development within the areas of community health, perinatal health and pedagogy. Areas of special focus include positive mental health, infant mental health, population health, comprehensive school health, environmental health and strength-based approaches in education, practice, theory and research.  

Research Collaborations

International Associates

Dr Pippa Burns- Pippa has a background in public health which has provided her with a broad experience-base, having previously worked in universities, health services and non-profit organisations. Pippa has been involved in numerous community-based research projects, including initiating Project DARE (Dementia, Art, Research and Education).
Pippa currently works as a senior medical writer and occasionally posts on Instagram as @drpippab.

Dr Amanda Webster- ​Dr. Webster is currently the Academic Program Director for the Autism postgraduate programs where her research and teaching is focused on creating inclusive learning communities to support the achievement and self-determination of individuals on the autism spectrum.

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National Associates

under construction

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Student Members

Current:
Catherine Blaney- Area: Resource Teacher Roles in Inclusive Education
Supervisors: Dr Andrea Garner and Dr Melissa Dockrill Garrett 
Wil Milner- Area: Outdoor Education
Supervisor: Dr Melissa Dockrill Garrett
Auralia Brooke- Area: Alternative Education 
Supervisor: Dr Melissa Dockrill Garrett
Incoming: 
Manami Hyoda- Area: Visual methods of activating knowledge in caregivers of persons with Dementia.
Supervisor: Dr Andrea Garner
Maureen Barnes- Area: Universal Design for Learning in Post-secondary Education
Superivsors: Dr Kim Stewart, Dr Andrea Garner, and Dr Jeff Landine
Samantha Friesen- Area: Supporting students from low-socio economic areas in and through first year post-secondary study.
Supervisor: Dr Andrea Garner

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Community Affiliates

Northside ACT (Action for Community Thriving) Circle- a special roundtable conversation focused on building a thriving Northside Fredericton. This invitation-only gathering brings together diverse community voices-policy leaders, practitioners, business owners, educators, agency and department staff, parents, and residents-to explore what thriving communities look like and how we can work together to support positive futures for our children, youth, families, and neighbourhoods
Learning Disability Association of New Brunswick- To promote the understanding and acceptance of the ability of persons with learning disabilities to lead meaningful and successful lives.

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