Instructor I
Max Rady College of Medicine
Department Community Health Sciences
Room 316, Human Ecology Building
Fort Garry Campus, University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 1G3
Punam Mehta, BSc, BA (Hons.), MSc, PhD
Cross appointments
Does not hold any cross-appointments.
Research achievements
Research summary
Dr. Punam Mehta is an interdisciplinary researcher with over 20 years of experience, known for her impactful contributions to social justice and health research. She has co-published numerous peer-reviewed epidemiological studies on critical topics such as diabetes, cancer, mental health, and cardiovascular diseases. Her research is deeply rooted in her hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she has led significant projects, including a yoga and body mapping initiative for mothers with addictions and a recent study on HIV stigma.
Keywords
- conflict, displacement and peace
- health promotion and program planning
- mothers/mothering
- self-care and wellbeing
- qualitative feminist decolonizing methods
Select publications
Books
Decolonizing Yoga: From Critical to Cosmic Consciousness: Feminist-Informed Yoga in Canada. Archway Publishing/Simon and Schuster (completed/Published April 2022). Mehta, P.
Journal articles
Restall, G. Ukoli, P., Mehta, P. Payne, M & Hyndmans, E. Resisting and Disrupting HIV-Related Stigma: A Photovoice Study". BMC Public Health (2023).
Mehta, P. Feminist-Informed Yoga, Vulnerability, and Social Justice Research Methods. 5th International Conference on Advanced Research in Social Sciences (2022).
Mehta, P. Body mapping as a way to introduce Feminist-Informed Yoga as a tool for Marginalized Mothers with Addictions in a mid-sized Canadian city. 5th International Conference on Advanced Research in Social Sciences (2022).
Eni, R., Phillips-Beck, & Mehta, P. At the Edges of Embodiment: First Nation Determinants of Breastfeeding in Canada. Breastfeeding Medicine. Vol (1): 22. (2016).
Book chapters
Mehta, P. Are we not the heroes? Racialized Single Mothers during the COVID-19 Lockdown – Chapter 40. In Mothering, Mothers, Motherhood during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Green, F. & O'Reilly, A. (Eds). Toronto. ON. Demeter Press. Mothers, Mothering, and Covid-19: Dispatches from a Pandemic (2021).
Mehta, P. From Purusha to Prakrti: Feminist Informed Yoga as Revolution from Within. In Yoga, the Body, and Embodied Change: A Feminist Intersectional Approach (pp. 236-247). Berila, B., Klein M., & Chelsea, J., (Eds). New York, Lexington Press (2016).
Community-based publications
Bartlett, J., Sanguins, J., Kosowan, L., & Mehta, P. Reclaiming Birth for Metis Women in Northern Manitoba. Manitoba Metis Federation/the University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Peer-Reviewed Report) (2015).
Bartlett, J., Sanguins, J., Hoppner, N., & Mehta, P. Cancer and Related Health Care Utilization in the Manitoba Metis. Manitoba Centre for Health Policy/Manitoba Metis Federation, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Peer-Reviewed Report) (2014).
Bartlett, J., Sanguins, J. & Mehta P., Hoppner, N. Ischemic Heart Disease and Related Health Care Utilization in the Manitoba Metis. Manitoba Centre for Health Policy/Manitoba Metis Federation, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Peer-Reviewed Report) (2014).
Bartlett, J., Sanguins, J., Mehta P., Hoppner, N. Diabetes and Related Health Conditions in Metis in Manitoba. Manitoba Centre for Health Policy/Manitoba Metis Federation, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Peer-Reviewed Report) (2013).
Teaching philosophy
Punam is a dedicated feminist teacher-scholar specializing in health promotion and program planning. Her teaching philosophy is centered on creating an inclusive and transformative learning environment that cultivates critical thinking and encourages students to engage deeply with the material while applying their knowledge to real-world contexts.
Before joining the Rady Faculty, Punam served as an instructor in the departments of women’s and gender studies and family social sciences. Her work in these academic settings, along with her professional experience in a non-profit organization focused on health and wellness, has strengthened her commitment to bridging theory and practice, ensuring that students are equipped to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.
Teaching experience
Current
- Family 1000: Families in Contemporary Canadian Society
- Family 1010: Human Development Across the Lifespan
- Family 2012: Development, Displacement, and Conflict)
- Family 3750: Fundamentals of Health Promotion
- Family 3780: Development of Programs for Children and Families
Previous
- Family 4606: A Social Justice Perspective on Indigenous Maternal and Child Health
- Women 1600: Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies in the Social Sciences
- Women 1500: Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies in the Humanities
- Women 2450: Feminist Approaches to Addictions
- Women 2450: Feminism, Addictions, and Social Justice
- Women 2450: Feminist-informed Yoga and the Yoga Traditions in Canada and Beyond
- Women 2450: Soap Operas, Romance Novels, and Harlequins
Biography
Dr. Punam Mehta is a feminist researcher dedicated to enhancing wellness and improving the lives of individuals and communities through her innovative teaching and research. Her expertise spans epidemiology, feminist bioethics, health promotion, program planning, and autoethnography.
Dr. Mehta’s research focuses on mothers and mothering in public health, self-care and wellbeing, conflict, displacement, and peace in public health, and qualitative feminist decolonizing methods. Her doctoral thesis, which explored the transformative benefits of yoga and wellness through a feminist decolonizing lens, continues to inform and support her teaching and research.
In the news
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
- Master of Science in Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Women's Studies, University of Winnipeg
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Winnipeg
- Teaching and Learning Certification, Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, University of Manitoba
Awards
- Winner, of the Visibility Award by the Racial Equity and Inclusion Alliance at the Empowerment Gala, UM (2024)
- Winner, Justice for Women Inspirational Award, UM Student Group (2023)
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