On the Edge: Emerging Scholars
On The Edge: Emerging Scholars is a speaker series featuring cutting-edge research presented by emerging scholars and researchers from Edmonton's academic community. Presented by the University of Alberta's Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) and Edmonton Public Library (EPL), these sessions take place monthly at the Strathcona Library Branch. All are welcome to attend and explore the forefront of academic discovery with us!
Bridging the culture gap: Learning and advocating for mental health knowledge within my community
Studies have shown that immigrants and refugees are statistically more likely to suffer from mental health concerns due to pre- and post-migration trauma. By reflecting on my own experiences as an Egyptian-born immigrant in Canada, and diving into the collective trauma within the Coptic Orthodox community, I researched the mental health experiences of my community in Alberta. In this talk, I will share what led me to my research, my experience working both formally and informally with community members, and the advocacy work done and to be done in order to work on de-stigmatizing and encouraging mental health support for immigrant and refugee communities, starting with my own.
Date/Time: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026 | 7 - 8:30 p.m. MT | Online (Zoom)
About the Presenter:
Mariane Kalliny is a Coptic Canadian researcher and community advocate based in Edmonton, Alberta. Her work is grounded in a commitment to understanding how culture, faith, migration, and stigma shape people’s experiences of mental health and care. Through her graduate research at the University of Alberta, she explores these questions with Coptic Orthodox communities, centring lived experience and culturally safer approaches to wellbeing. Fluent in English and Arabic, Mariane values curiosity, connection, and learning from diverse communities. Outside of research, she enjoys reading, swimming, travelling, and spending time with her cat, Dolly.
Contact Us
Jay Friesen, Ph.D.
Academic Program Officer
Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
Email: jayf@ualberta.ca
