Manitoba Research Chair in Child and Youth Health and Illness

Dr. Roberta Woodgate has been awarded a Manitoba Research Chair from the Manitoba Health Research Council (MHRC) from 07/2010 to 06/2015 for her program of research entitled, Advancing our understanding of children's and youth's health and illness experiences. Dr. Woodgate’s research program is focused on the study of children’s and youth’s perspectives and experiences of health and illness in the following three areas:

1. children and youth living with cancer and other chronic illnesses;
2. children and youth living with disabilities and complex health needs; and
3. the promotion of health in children and youth.

Knowledge gleaned from this area of study may be used to inform existing and future research, policies, programs, and services specifically focused on children’s and youth’s distinct and evolving health needs. Overall, this work will help to improve health and health care delivery for children and youth. A secondary purpose of Dr. Woodgate’s program is directed at the study of ethical dimensions to involving children and youth in health research with the aim of developing and refining standards essential to ensuring the protection of children and youth in health research.

In all her research, Dr. Woodgate strives to ensure that the voices of children and youth are accurately represented by adopting innovative research approaches including the use of photovoice and ecomaps. Dr. Woodgate has developed a therapeutic tools (EMÜD Universe) using a computer video game/virtual environment that may be used for children to assess and manage their feeling states. Overall, Dr. Woodgate’s research challenges existing notions of how children experience illness and health.