Valerie Michaelson

My research is concerned with the health and well-being of children and adolescents, and the social determinants that shape their health trajectories. In particular, I focus on social, cultural and religious norms that rationalize or normalize harmful health behaviours or attitudes, and that lead to deleterious health outcomes. My current projects focus on violence, spirituality, mental health, and decolonization and reconciliation. I am a qualitative researcher who typically works in mixed methods paradigms. Most of my projects have participatory strands, in which young people are positioned as co-researchers, and I recognize children as competent and insightful agents in interpreting their own worlds.