Heather Schmidt

Chair of the Psychology Department and Assistant Professor, Psychology

Heather Schmidt (PhD, York University) is originally from Vancouver, BC (Coash Salish territory). She earned her BA-Hons from the University of Victoria, and moved to Toronto for her MA and PhD. She worked as a researcher and lecturer for two years at Algoma University in Sault Ste Marie ON (Anishinaabek territory) before joining the CBU faculty in 2009. As a Community Psychologist, she uses participatory action research, and other collaborative, decolonializing approaches to facilitate empowerment, inclusion and social justice for historically-marginalized communities such as L�nu / Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ post-secondary students, and individuals with mental health challenges. She has conducted research with many local community organizations such as Horizon Achievement Centre, Crossroads Clubhouse and CBU Student Services. Dr. Heather Schmidt teaches Aboriginal Psychology, Foundations of Personality Psychology, Qualitative Methods in Psychology, Community Psychology, and History of Psychology.

Expertise:

As a Community Psychologist, I use participatory action research, and other collaborative, decolonializing approaches to facilitate empowerment, inclusion and social justice for historically-marginalized communities such as L�nu / Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ post-secondary students, and individuals with mental health challenges.