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Mount Saint Vincent University

Located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People, Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) is strongly committed to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility across all facets of the university, within its local community, and in society at large. Founded in 1873, MSVU has been nationally recognized for its legacy in the advancement of women, its leadership in online and experiential learning, and its personalized approach to education focused on nurturing socially responsible global citizens.

MSVU is made up of more than 4,000 students (representing close to 70 countries), 600 faculty and staff, and more than 36,000 alumni. Its research centres provide unique learning opportunities for students while facilitating critical advancements in food security, healthy aging, Alzheimer’s disease, literacy, early childhood development, women in STEM, community engagement in military affairs, and more. Faculty members and departments across Arts, Science, Education and Professional Studies offer early access to hands-on research opportunities enabling graduate and undergraduate students to enhance their education by working alongside forward-thinking researchers.

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 42 articles
The question for literature scholars is not should we return to Munro’s stories, but how will we read them now? Alice Munro at a press conference in Dublin, in 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Re-reading Alice Munro in the light of the secrets she kept and pain she caused

Carrie Dawson, Mount Saint Vincent University

Scholars have an opportunity — if not an obligation — to use our re-readings to reckon with sexual abuse of children and the silence that so often surrounds it.
Women have more positive experiences seeking justice when they experienced support, agency and validation. (Shutterstock)

The legal system must show more compassion to survivors of sexual abuse

Diane Crocker, Saint Mary’s University; Deborah Norris, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Meghan Gosse, Dalhousie University

Survivors of gender-based abuse can often feel retraumatized by the justice system. But simple acts of validation and support can make a meaningful difference and restore a sense of agency.
People who have lived experience in child welfare systems have higher rates of homelessness. A homeless tent is seen in a park in Saint-Jerome, Que. on Jan. 25, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Canada is falling behind other countries in meeting the needs of former youth in care

Jacquie Gahagan, Mount Saint Vincent University; Dale Kirby, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Kristyn Anderson, Dalhousie University, and Steven Smith, Saint Mary’s University

Canada needs to focus on tracking, monitoring and evaluating the economic, health and social outcomes of former youth in care, especially as they transition from government care.
Research shows women are at higher risk for burnout and psychological, emotional and physical stress in the workplace in comparison to their male counterparts. (Shutterstock)

Stop breaking women’s hearts at work: 7 ways to make workplaces better for cardiovascular health

Shannan M. Grant, Mount Saint Vincent University; Barb Hamilton-Hinch, Dalhousie University; Dayna Lee-Baggley, Dalhousie University; Jacquie Gahagan, Mount Saint Vincent University; Jessica Mannette, Saint Mary’s University, and Leigh-Ann MacFarlane, Mount Saint Vincent University

Acknowledging that factors like the built environment, social and health systems, and outdated policies are the problems — rather than people — is a step towards healthier and safer workplaces.
Serikat pekerja seks dan pendukungnya berkumpul di luar Pengadilan Tinggi Ontario saat putusan gugatan konstitusional terhadap undang-undang pekerja seks Kanada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Hak pekerja seks: hukum seharusnya tidak dibuat berdasarkan keyakinan moral pribadi

Meredith Ralston, Mount Saint Vincent University

Hukum mengenai pekerja seks seharusnya tidak dibuat berdasarkan keyakinan moral pribadi. Keselamatan pekerja seks dan klien mereka harus menjadi prioritas.
Inquiries into how reading is taught across Canada join efforts in other countries to ensure educators are supporting students’ rights to effective reading instruction. (Shutterstock)

Reading disabilities are a human rights issue — Saskatchewan joins calls to address barriers

Andrea Fraser, Mount Saint Vincent University

A report from the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission outlines government and school responsibilities for educating students with disabilities and calls for changes in reading instruction.
Sex workers and their supporters gather outside the Ontario Superior Court during the launch of their constitutional challenge to Canada’s sex work laws, on Oct. 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Sex workers’ rights: Governments should not decide what constitutes good or bad sex

Meredith Ralston, Mount Saint Vincent University

Laws regarding sex work should not be legislated based on personal moral beliefs. They should prioritize the safety of sex workers and their clients.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis apologized for writing letters in support for fellow actor Danny Masterson during his rape trial. Masterson was later found guilty and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women. (Instagram/aplusk)

Hollywood letters of support for Danny Masterson demonstrate the pervasiveness of myths about rape culture

Meredith Ralston, Mount Saint Vincent University

In letters to the judge, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis asked for Masterson to be shown leniency based on his supposedly good character.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, centre, speaks to media during the closing news conference at the Council of the Federation of Canada’s premiers in Winnipeg in July. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Saskatchewan naming and pronoun policy: The best interests of children must guide provincial parental consent rules

Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University and Patrick Richards, University of Saskatchewan

Elected officials must consider relevant research and legal context when shaping education policies. Otherwise, they risk destabilizing classrooms and harming students.
Being in a legal grey area means sex workers are at a disadvantage when they have been the victim of a crime or defrauded. (Shutterstock)

Halifax lawsuit shows why sex workers need legal protections

Meredith Ralston, Mount Saint Vincent University

If sex workers have to pay taxes and have all the other burdens of business and employment, then surely their contracts must be honoured as well.
People’s ways of choosing books are significantly influenced by our offline relationships and book browsing habits. (Shutterstock)

Joys of summer reading: the books we’re devouring are likely influenced by someone we know and trust

Danielle Fuller, University of Alberta and DeNel Rehberg Sedo, Mount Saint Vincent University

Even for people who regularly look to social media platforms for book recommendations, recommendations from friends, family members or colleagues are a main way of choosing what to read.
Contrary to misconceptions, exposing children to diverse expressions of gender identity supports their natural development and fosters inclusivity. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

5 things to know about Drag Queen Story Time

Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University and Daniel G. Seguin, Mount Saint Vincent University

Drag Queen Story Time events have faced backlash and protests recently. But contrary to misconceptions, these events can support child development and promote acceptance.
Psychologists can be found in the public system (for example, schools, hospitals, public health offices), but increasingly are choosing to work in private practice, fee-for-service, clinics. (Shutterstock)

In Canada’s two-tiered mental health system, access to care is especially challenging in rural areas

Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University; Krista C Ritchie, Mount Saint Vincent University; Sara King, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Veronica Hutchings, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Rural Canadians face challenges accessing mental health services, and an exodus of psychologists from the public system may make matters worse.
The Mass Casualty Commission has released its final report on the mass murder that happened in rural Nova Scotia in April 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Mass Casualty Commission report details the Nova Scotia shooter’s abuse of sex workers

Meredith Ralston, Mount Saint Vincent University and Gayle MacDonald, Mount Saint Vincent University

The mass casualty commission report into the Nova Scotia mass murders outlines the perpetrator’s history of sexual abuse toward sex workers and what should be done to prevent it from happening again.
Results of a new study show the need for more, easily accessible mental health and social support services for pregnant and postpartum people and their families. (Shutterstock)

Pregnant during the pandemic: Long-term effects and the importance of social support

Kiera O'Neil, Mount Saint Vincent University and Jennifer E. Khoury, Mount Saint Vincent University

Being pregnant and giving birth during the pandemic meant disruptions in pregnancy care and birth experiences, as well as detrimental effects on mental health and birth outcomes.

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