• Portrait of Douglas Brownridge
  • Professor 

    Max Rady College of Medicine
    Department of Community Health Sciences
    Room 313D - 35 Chancellor’s Circle
    University of Manitoba
    Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2

    Phone: 204-474-8050  
    douglas.brownridge@umanitoba.ca

Research summary

Dr. Brownridge's research centers on the social epidemiology of family violence, with a particular focus on understanding the elevated risk of violence experienced by vulnerable populations. He has conducted extensive research on various forms of family violence, including child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, dating violence, and elder abuse. His work has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of the complex dynamics of family violence and developing interventions to prevent it.

One of the key contributions of Dr. Brownridge's research is the development of a new subfield on violence in vulnerable populations, which has led to substantive, theoretical, and methodological advancements in the field. For example, his study on the intersection of race, gender, and socioeconomic status in relation to intimate partner violence has shed new light on the disparities faced by marginalized groups. Another notable contribution is his research on the long-term effects of child maltreatment on mental and physical health, which has helped to inform policy and practice in child welfare.

Dr. Brownridge's work is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on theories and methods from sociology, psychology, and public health. His research is notable for its rigorous methodology and focus on translational research, with a goal of informing policy and practice. He has published numerous articles in top-tier academic journals and has presented his research at numerous conferences and workshops.

Dr. Brownridge is a sought-after speaker and consultant in the field of family violence, and is a member of several professional organizations, including the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and the Canadian Association for the Study of Adult Education. He is currently leading several research projects, including a study of the impact of COVID-19 on family violence and a project to develop a toolkit for the prevention of child maltreatment in Indigenous communities.

Keywords

Child maltreatment

Dating violence

Elder abuse

Family violence

Intimate partner violence

Social epidemiology

Vulnerable populations

Research groups

Violence and Injury Prevention Research Group (VIP)

Biography

Dr. Douglas Brownridge is a leading expert in the field of family violence, with a particular focus on the social epidemiology of violence and the elevated risk experienced by vulnerable populations. As a professor in the department of community health sciences at the Max Rady College of Medicine, he has dedicated his career to understanding and preventing this devastating social problem.

Dr. Brownridge's passion for this field began early on, earning his bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology (double major) from Brandon University in 1991. He went on to earn his master's degree in sociology from the University of Manitoba in 1994, and then his PhD in sociology from the University in 2000.

Throughout his career, Dr. Brownridge has made significant contributions to the field of family violence research. He has conducted extensive research on various forms of family violence, including child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, dating violence, and elder abuse. His work has led to the development of a new subfield on violence in vulnerable populations, with substantive, theoretical, and methodological advancements that have improved our understanding of this complex issue.

Dr. Brownridge's dedication to this field has been recognized through numerous awards for excellence in research, teaching, and service, including the Rh Award for Outstanding Contributions to Scholarship and Research in the Social Sciences. In addition, he is committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers and scholars and supervises graduate students who are interested in contributing to the understanding and prevention of family violence.

Education

PhD in Sociology, University of Manitoba (2000)

Master of Arts in Sociology, University of Manitoba (1994)

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology (double major), Brandon University (1991)

Awards

Best Research Poster Presentation, 13th Hawaii International Training Summit on Preventing, Assessing and Treating Trauma Across the Lifespan, March 30, Honolulu, Hawaii (2016)

Best Poster Scholarship Winner, $10,000 Scholarship to Argosy University, Honolulu, Hawaii (declined; 2016)

Best Research Poster Presentation, Hawaii International Training Summit on Preventing, Assessing and Treating Trauma Across the Lifespan (2015)

Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research, University of Manitoba (2009)

Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching, University of Manitoba (2008)

Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research, University of Manitoba (2006)

Rh Award for Outstanding Contributions to Scholarship and Research in the Social Sciences, University of Manitoba (2006)

Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching, University of Manitoba (2005)

Faculty/Staff Access Award for Outstanding Service in Providing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Disability Services, University of Manitoba (2004)

Contact us

Community Health Sciences
Max Rady College of Medicine
Room S113 - 750 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada

204-789-3655