UU直播 Social Work student receives coveted Trudeau scholarship
Award to fund doctoral research on seniors' participation in society
Why aren't seniors' voices heard more when public bodies make decisions? That's the question 脡milie Raymond, a PhD student in Social Work at UU直播, will try to answer in research that has earned a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation scholarship - one of Canada's largest and most prestigious doctoral awards.
Raymond's doctoral thesis will focus on a paradox she has observed in previous research with seniors: despite extensive focus in public discourse and policies on the idea of social participation by seniors, their voices are often poorly heard in decision-making forums. She will work with seniors' social movements to examine how they perceive and implement citizen participation -- and to compare these experiences with social policies that seek to encourage participatory behaviours among seniors.
Working with her doctoral supervisor, social work professor Dr. Amanda Grenier,听 Raymond hopes to contribute to the renewal of gerontological studies by offering a participatory approach that invites seniors to become authentic partners in research.听 She also plans to support the efforts of seniors' associations to defend and promote the rights of the groups they represent.
In Raymond's view, the accelerated greying of the population is far more than a demographic or economic issue; for her, it is a global and historic imperative to re-examine the trajectory of life and to reflect on ways to build a more supportive intergenerational society.
Raymond previously earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Service at Universit茅 Laval, and a Master's in Anthropology and Development at Universidad de Chile.听 For each of these degrees, she developed participatory research practices combining scientific and social-progressivism concerns.
"The UU直播 School of Social Work is very proud that one of its students has been named a Trudeau Scholar," said Wendy Thomson, Director of the School. "This award will provide substantial support to 脡milie Raymond's important work on the role of seniors in society - a critical issue for Canada and many other countries in the years ahead."
Fifteen 2010 Trudeau Scholars have been offered up to $180,000 each to advance their research into issues such as labour, mental health, conflict resolution and the environment. The scholarships subsidize tuition fees and living expenses and enable the recipients to travel for research and scholarly networking and knowledge dissemination. In addition to receiving financial support, Trudeau Scholars benefit from the expertise and knowledge of Trudeau Fellows and Mentors, highly accomplished individuals who are leaders in both academic and non-academic settings.听 Interaction with non-academic milieus, including public policy networks and the public at large, is a key component of the Trudeau Scholarship Program.
For more information on the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, please visit .
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