Lori Wilkinson

• SOC 2290 - Research Methods
• SOC 2294 - Understanding Social Statistics
• SOC 2320 - Canadian Society and Culture
• SOC 2370 - Ethnic Relations
• SOC 3460/7250 - Education, Human Rights and Social Justice in a Multicultural Society
• SOC 4580 - Social Research Methods
• SOC 7310 - Intergroup Relations: Immigrant and Refugee Studies
• SOC 7390 - Survey Research Methods

My research as a public sociologist is profoundly integrated with the communities with which I work, and the results have demonstrable, significant impact both within the academy and far beyond. As a founder of Immigration Research West, I have undertaken significant research on the settlement experiences of immigrants and refugees. Some of these findings have been used to change national immigration policies, inform governments internationally, and most importantly, has helped introduce new programing in the immigration community. 

Notably, my research has recently focused on identifying the factors affecting the resettlement experiences of Syrian, Yazidi and Afghan refugees. The work done by my research team has also changed the way we practice resettlement, especially the use of temporary housing for newly arrived refugees. Current work on antiracism informs several provincial and national campaigns to raise awareness among Canadians and will be used in an international public campaign supporting refugee resettlement. Leading a three-nation study of the social and mental health outcomes amongst newcomers in Canada, USA and Mexico has informed post-pandemic policies in three nations.

Throughout my career, I have conducted publicly relevant research that I freely share with all stakeholders. My work has supported the creation of after school homework programs for refugees, has informed governments about how best to resettle traumatized Syrian and Yazidi refugees, and is transforming how refugees navigate our complex health system. 

• PhD (Sociology), University of Alberta, 2001
• MA (Sociology), University of Saskatchewan, 1996
• BA (Honours with distinction) (Sociology), University of Saskatchewan, 1994

Research interests

• Refugee resettlement
• Anti-racism
• Economic and mental health outcomes post-pandemic
• Sexual and gender based violence as experienced by immigrant and refugee women
• International students

Research summary

A former professor once told me "sociology is a science of the people for the people". This sentiment continues to be my organizing mantra guiding my research, teaching and outreach. As a matter of course, I put the "people" first, meaning that I have made it a priority to share my research results with the community before I share them academically.

Leading several time-sensitive, government funded projects on the resettlement of refugees to Canada has taught me that providing timely evidence-based information can change lives, for the better. Today, millions of people are risking their lives to reach safety and security in countries like Canada. Tackling the causes and consequences of social inequality is one leading foci of my research agenda and shapes the work that I do today.
 

Research affiliations

• Member, Expert Advisory Panel, Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, University of Guelph, 2023 to 2025
• Researcher, Canada Team, Violence against women migrants and refugees: Analyzing causes and effective policy response, GBV-MIG Project, GENDER-NET Plus Consortium 
• Member, Panel of Experts, National Newcomer Navigation Network, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa. April 2021 to present
• Member, Interdisciplinary Research Affiliate - Faculty of Arts, Centre for Human Rights Research, University of Manitoba, 2017 to present 
• Senior Fellow, St John's College, University of Manitoba
• Member, Centre for Social Science Research and Policy, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba 
• Board Member, RESOLVE, University of Manitoba
  

• Bhattacharyya, Pallabi, Labe Songose and Lori Wilkinson (forthcoming 2024) “A New School and New Life: Understanding the Experiences of Yazidi Children and Youth” in Ethics, Rights, Culture and the Humanization of Refugees. Anna Kirova, Michael Frishkopf and Yasmeen Abu-Laban, eds. Edmonton: University of Alberta Press.
• Tastsoglou, Evie and Lori Wilkinson (2023) “Gender-based violence and citizenship in a migration context” pp. 292-312 in Research Handbook on Intersectionality. Mary Romero, ed. Northhampton MA: Edward Elgar Publishing.
• Vineberg, Robert and Lori Wilkinson (2023) “Refugees and Resettlement in Canada: A complex history” in The Global Atlas of Refuge and Asylum. Pp. 33-46. Anna Vila Freyer and Ibrahim Sirkeci, eds. London: Transnational Press.
• Ogoe, Sally and Lori Wilkinson (2023) “Still strangers: the labour market integration of refugee women” in Introduction to Forced Migration Studies in Canada. Christina Clark-Kazak, ed. Montreal and Kingston: University of Montreal/Queen’s University Press.
• Luo, Yazhi and Lori Wilkinson (2023) “Asian international students in a mid-sized Canadian City: A Case study of the University of Manitoba” Chapter 14, pp. 202-216 in Asian international students in Canadian universities: Internationalization, racialization and inclusion. Ann H. Kim, Elizabeth Buckner, and Jean Michel Montsion eds. Milton Park, UK: Routledge Press. Open access book: file:///C:/Users/Lori/Downloads/10.4324_b23160-18_chapterpdf.pdf
• Tatsoglou, Evie, Chantelle Falconer, Mia Sisic, Myrna Dawson and Lori Wilkinson (2022) “The Gender of Canadian Legal and Policy Immigration and GBV Frameworks” Gender-based Violence in Migration: Interdisciplinary, Feminist and Intersectional Approaches. Editors: Jane Freedman, Nina Sahraoui, Evangelia Tastsoglou. London: Palgrave Macmillan Cham. Pp 85-111. 
• Tatsoglou, Evie, Chantelle Falconer, Mia Sisic, Myrna Dawson and Lori Wilkinson (2022) “Intersectionality, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, and Immigrant Women” Mary Romero and Reshawna Chapple, editors Intersectionality and Transforming the Production of Knowledge. Northampton, Mass: Edward Edgar Publishers.
• Wilkinson, Lori and Sally Ogoe (2020) “Friendly Manitoba? An Examination of Racism and Xenophobia during the COVID-19 Pandemic” COVID-19 in Manitoba: Public Policy Responses to the First Wave Andrea Rounce, Karine Levasseur, and Shannon Furness eds. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press. 
• Holtmann, Catherine, Evangelia Tastsoglou, Myrna Dawson and Lori Wilkinson (2023) “Surviving Gender-based violence: A social ecological approach to Immigrant and refugee women’s resilience” Canadian Ethnic Studies 55(3): 57-78
• Thomas, J, S Ogoe, L Wilkinson, A Hallberg, MV Georges and N Veisman (2022) “The role of financial insecurity, racial discrimination and comorbid health conditions on mental health in Canada and the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic” Journal of Canadian Ethnic Studies 54(3): 177-203
• Korntheuer, Annette, Débora Maehler, Paul Pritchard and Lori Wilkinson (2020) Refugees in Canada and Germany: From Research to Policies and Practice. Mannheim: LEIBNIZ Institute for the Social Sciences and GEISIS. 249 pages. ISBN 978-3-86819-041-0 (hard copy and online) 
• Roberts, Lance, Jason Edgerton, Tracey Peter and Lori Wilkinson (2015) Understanding Social Statistics. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.

• 2024 - Fellow of the Year, St. John's College, University of Manitoba
• 2024 - Outstanding Professor Award, Arts Student Body Council, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba
• November 2021-October 2028 - Canada Research Chair, Tier 1, Tri-Council, Government of Canada (value: $1,400,000)
• 2023 - Inspiring Female Professor Award, Arts Student Body Council, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba
• 2021 - National Metropolis Award of Excellence-Researcher Category, Association for Canadian Studies 
• 2020 - Award in Internationalization, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba
• 2018 - Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Outreach Award (for particularly meritorious service in outreach activities), University of Manitoba
• 2008 - Professor of the Year (teaching, research and service), Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba

• Vice Chair Board of Directors, Immigrant Centre of Manitoba, Winnipeg, 2017 to present
• Board Member, Community Advisory Board-Islamic Social Services Association, Winnipeg, October 2018 through present
• Member, Afghan Refugee Resettlement National Steering Committee, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada, November 2021 to present
• Member, Statistics Canada Expert Advisory Committee on Immigration and Ethnocultural Statistics, Ottawa, Panel January 2020-December 2023