Shanon Phelan

Biography

Education Post-doctoral Fellowship- Childhood Disability- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital- 2012-2013 PhD- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences- Western University- 2012 MSc- Occupational Therapy- Western University- 2005 BSc Human Kinetics- University of Guelph- 2002.

Research Interest

Dr. Phelan’s program of research focuses on understanding and improving participation, inclusion, and social justice for children who experience disability and their families. Dr. Phelan is also interested in disability studies, child culture, and constructions of childhood, disability and identity. She engages critical qualitative approaches to achieve her research objectives including innovative reflexive and visual methods that promote ethics and integrity in research with children. Dr. Phelan is co-director (with Dr. Sandy Hodgetts) of the Supporting Kids Inclusion & Participation (S.K.I.P.) Lab in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. Dr. Phelan is a research affiliate at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, University of Alberta. Current Research Initiatives ReEnvisioning inclusion: Exploring child culture with children with disabilities (SSHRC) The loneliness crisis and the decline of free play: Pathways and effects (SSHRC) Disclosing their child’s diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder to others: Family processes and perceived outcomes (WCHRI) Engaging children with disabilities as co-researchers: Innovation in methodology and methods (VPR SSHRC) Toward an inclusive and supportive clinic-school interface: A qualitative study of children's and families' experiences (FRM).