Research Interests
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, PI)
- The loneliness crisis and the decline of free play: Pathways and effects (SSHRC, Co-I)
- Disclosing their child’s diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder to others: Family processes and perceived outcomes (WCHRI, Co-PI)
- Engaging children with disabilities as co-researchers: Innovation in methodology and methods (VPR SSHRC, PI)
- Toward an inclusive and supportive clinic-school interface: A qualitative study of children's and families' experiences (FRM, PI)
RESEARCH TEAM
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Kassi Boyd, MA
PhD student Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Assistant
Research Interests: experiences of (in)dignity, relational ethics, inclusion in child-driven culture, reflexivity, qualitative research with children and famillies
Contact: boyd@ualberta.ca
Alisa Doell, MSc OT
PhD student Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Assistant
Research Interests: ethical practice, clinical ethics, relational ethics, reflexivity, qualitative research
Contact: amdoell@ualberta.ca
Erin Duebel, MSc OT
PhD student Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Assistant
Research Interests: critical social theory, the body and social theory, intersectionality theory, qualitative research
Contact: eduebel@ualberta.ca
Linda Osae, MSW, RN
PhD student Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Assistant
Research Interests: social determinants of health, health systems and services, sociocultural perspectives, qualitative research
Contact: lacheamp@ualberta.ca
Paige Reeves, MSc OT
PhD student Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Assistant
Research Interests: critical disability studies, discourse analysis, participatory methods, social inclusion and belonging, disability and identity, and disability and the transition to adulthood
Contact: preeves@ualberta.ca
Alex Jackman, MD, FRCPC, General Pediatrics
Subspecialty Resident, Developmental Pediatrics
Research Interests: children and disability, identity and disability, family-centered care, participatory research, qualitative research
Contact: alexandra.jackman@ualberta.ca
SCHOLAR STREAM STUDENTS
Natalie Ball
MSc OT Student, Scholar Stream
Research Project: Natalie is using critical discourse analysis to explore how disability, gender, and violence are constructed within Alberta policy and legislation related to violence against women.
Contact: ball1@ualberta.ca
Alexandra England
MSc OT Student, Scholar Stream
Research Project: Alex is using a critical disability studies lens to explore the experiences of parents to children with disabilities in public spaces, including their experiences of disabilism and how they negotiate family identity and belonging.
Contact: aengland@ualberta.ca
Nicole Farmer
MSc OT Student, Scholar Stream
Research Project: Nicole is using qualitative methods to investigate facilitators and constraints to children’s free and risky outdoor play including parental tolerance of risk and perceived social threats.
Contact: nfarmer@ualberta.ca
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Meghan Harris, MSc OT
Research Assistant
Research Interests: school-based practice, social inclusion, inclusive education, qualitative research with children and families
Contact: meghan2@ualberta.ca