The Research Team

Tara La Rose (she/her)
Principal Investigator, USWLC

Tara La Rose is an Associate Professor at the McMaster University School of Social Work and the Principal Investigator for Understanding Social Work Leadership in Canada (USWLC). Her research interests focus on professional identity and work-life, and the use of digital media as a space for critical reflexivity in social work. Tara’s scholarship focuses on considering digital literacy for social workers and the community-at-large, practices of digital storytelling, and the use of social media for professional debate and critique. Her research has also included qualitative studies into issues of unpaid caregiving, patient and provider experiences, LGBTQ+ health care, grief and mental health professionals on ACT teams, and client self-advocacy. She currently supervises Masters’ level and doctoral level thesis research and is involved in several community-based research projects.

Karen Hill (she/her)
Principal Investigator, CASW Oral History Project 1983/84

Karen has a long history of bringing communities together and building on what’s gone before. Her research project The Oral History of Social Work in Canada, upon which USWLC is based, brought together the Canadian Association of Social Work, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, provincial associations, and local schools of social work to feature 56 pioneer social workers across Canada.

Born and educated in the United States, Karen came to Canada to build a new life as the Vietnam War stormed on in the mid-70s and the Watergate fiasco played out. As Karen’s life in Canada blossomed, her family grew to include a daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As well, she has been an active 40-year member of a 12-step program.

Karen began her professional career in Canada by working on a documentary on the history of psychiatry in Canada prior to 1763. Following that early work, she worked for decades in non-government and government organizations as a policy analyst in fields as diverse as SARS, Indigenous taxation, the Goods and Services Tax,  Reform of Retirement Income, the Future of Work, and Voluntarism in Canada.

In her volunteer life, Karen initiated and led community initiatives to develop a housing and day-care co-op; “Dancing Through Danger” – a participatory fund-raising CD music project; the Community Laundry Co-op; and, participated in the development of the Funeral Co-op of Ottawa.  She participated in many social protest actions. In her retirement, she and a new immigrant friend developed and now manage Yasmin Syrian Cooking, a social enterprise that employs immigrant women and caters to the Ottawa community, as well as contracting with NGOs and local food banks. Being named as a “Community Builder” for the City of Ottawa is one of several formal recognitions for her volunteer work.

Karen’s long-time motto was taken from Helen Keller, who said: “I cannot do everything, but I can do something. I must not fail to do the something that I can do.”

Ariane Bédard-Provencher (she/her)
Research Assistant

Ariane is a Ph.D. candidate in Sociocultural Anthropology at McMaster University with a doctoral certificate in Gender and Social Justice. She specializes in the anthropology of secularism, feminist ethnography, and poststructuralist feminism. Her research focuses on current debates about secularism and religiosity in feminist movements in Québec. She investigates how recent legislation prohibiting religious symbols in the name of gender equality impacts Québécois activists’ practices and claims. She is especially interested in the interactions between feminist groups with differing ideological perspectives, as well as the dynamics of exclusion and inclusion within these groups along racial, religious, and gender identity lines.

John Blyskis (he/him)
Research Assistant

Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, John is an Honours Bachelor of Social Work student at McMaster University. Having joined the research team in early 2021, John has been involved with various layers of the project including the YouTube archive, NVIVO coding, and data analysis. Within the field of social work, John has a particular interest in healthcare, mental health, and addictions. Upon graduation, John anticipates pursuing a Master of Social Work degree with a focus on these interests. Outside of his time at McMaster, John can be found on hiking trails or anywhere there is live music.

Kim de Jong (she/her)
Research Assistant

Kim graduated from McMaster University in 2020 with an MSW in Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities. While at McMaster, she researched the life of Florence Philpott, a mid-twentieth-century social worker from Hamilton, drawing from Karen Hill’s 1984 Oral History Project. Subsequently, Kim contributed an entry about Philpott for the Encyclopedia of Social Work Online. Kim lives in Hamilton and works as a counsellor at the Christian Counselling Centre. In fall 2022, she will assume the position of Manager of Field Education and adjunct faculty in the Applied Social Sciences department at Redeemer University.

Farzana Islam (she/her)
Illustrator

Farzana is a Bengali Canadian illustrator, born in Dhaka city and raised in Toronto. She loves using her art as a way to give voices to underrepresented communities and share unique stories. After having studied illustration at Sheridan College, she is currently working as an artist at an animation studio and taking on various freelance projects. Bright colours, fun graphics and bold ideas—she enjoys pushing boundaries and always bringing something fresh to the table through her work.

Michele Fisher (she/her)
Research Assistant

Michele Fisher is a marketing and communications professional with experience in quantitative market research for brands, survey design, and conducting qualitative research, including focus group design, execution and analysis, and one-on-one interviews. She has an extensive background in the not-for-profit and charitable sectors and has held communications positions at social work and community service organizations. She has assisted in several research studies at the McMaster University School of Social Work, including Digital Fuse, Direct[Message]: Digital Access to Artistic Engagement, and The Art of Working Together.

Marwan Genena (he/him)
Research Assistant

Marwan is an experienced Digital Marketer/Designer, currently pursuing his Honours Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science at McMaster University. Driven by the aim of the Understanding Social Work Leadership in Canada project, he is proud to be managing the external communications and creating digital media strategies. In his free time, Marwan takes day hikes and enjoys cooking.

Jennifer Mule (she/her)
Research Assistant

Jennifer completed her MSW in Critical Social Work Leadership at McMaster’s School of Social Work and has held a number of positions supporting children, youth, and families within the Hamilton area, focusing on areas in housing and homelessness, mental health, and youth engagement. Jennifer has also worked on a number of different research projects under the guidance of Tara La Rose at McMaster’s School of Social Work, most recently focusing on the phenomenon of sousveillance in mandated social work services.

Anabelle Ragsag (she/her)
Research Assistant

Anabelle is the 2022-2023 Stephen Lewis Social Policy PhD Fellow at McMaster University’s School of Social Work, having studied previously at the University of the Philippines and Carleton University. She is concurrently earning a Data Science certificate at the University of Guelph. Anabelle’s research interests include political economy, social policy, and emerging technology in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before joining McMaster in 2021, she held policy development and evaluation positions locally and abroad – in the Philippines (her place of birth), Australia, Egypt, Germany, and Indonesia. Anabelle’s work complements her community leadership on anti-racism and equity.

Kasia Whitelaw (she/her)
Research Assistant

Kasia is from Montreal, Quebec, the traditional land of the Kanien’kehà:ka. She is currently earning her Master of Social Work in Critical Leadership at McMaster University and joined the research team at the beginning of 2022. Within research, she is focused on decolonization, using critical social theories, and practicing community-based participatory research. This year, Kasia worked with McMaster Children’s Hospital to conduct a Quality Assessment of a new aftercare service for youth who were discharged from the hospital for suicide ideation. After graduation, Kasia plans to continue working in the mental health sector with young people, incorporating her passion for nature therapy into her practice. Outside work, she loves spending time outdoors with her puppy, Lou.

Hoon Yang (he/him)
Research Assistant

Hoon is pursuing a degree in Integrated Business and Humanities, a newly formed program at McMaster University’s Degroote School of Business. He is currently in his third year of studies. Hoon is interested in the field of social work and how to create sustainable businesses with an emphasis on a triple-bottom-line. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in business, with a focus on sustainability. Hoon is from Toronto, Ontario.

Robyn Ocean (she/her)
Research Assistant

Robyn Ocean is a registered social worker, counsellor, coach and educator. After receiving her MSW, she worked to address sexual violence at post-secondary institutions before moving into private practice. She currently focuses on accountability, women’s mental health, boundaries and communication.

Melissa Cortez (she/her)
Research Assistant

Melissa is a current social work student at McMaster University, works as a Children and Youth Program Lead in Toronto, and is currently completing her practicum at the McMaster Children’s Hospital. She has a B.A (Hons) from the University of Toronto in Sociology, Equity Studies, and Buddhist Psychology & Mental health and a Social Service Work diploma. Melissa has years of experience working with children and youth in an education and community-based setting. Her research interests include second-generation Filipino youth, identity navigation, and youth empowerment. Outside of school/work, Melissa loves to swim and visit different coffee shops.

Nirali Patel (she/her)
Research Assistant

I am a Master of Social Work student at McMaster and have graduated with a Bachelor in Social Work. I have past experience with the housing sector, child and youth mental health, and women services. My research is currently focused on race and racism in social work education. In my free time, I love exploring nature through hiking and also love painting.

Daniella Ugboma (she/her)
Research Assistant

Daniella is an undergraduate student in her third year of Social Psychology at McMaster University. Having joined the team in January 2024, Daniella is interested in the importance of lived experience and how past Social Workers broke down barriers to help those in need and is excited about helping the team share the stories of Social Workers. After Daniella graduates she hopes to pursue a career in the mental health sector.

Daniel Jared Igne-Jajalla (he/him)
Videographer

Daniel Jared Igne-Jajalla, a born and raised Winnipegger (Treaty 1 Territory), discovered his passion for storytelling through Broadcasting and Media Arts studies, graduating from Assiniboine Community College in 2017. Now a full-time videographer, he continues creating captivating stories through his unique lens.

Carmel Whittle
Videographer

Carmel Whittle is a multi-faceted Irish -Mi’kmaw, 2SQ visual artist, musician/song writer, educator, consultant and independent filmmaker/videographer living in Ottawa, a guest on the unceded, unsurrendered Algonquin Anishnaabe Aki territory. An activist artist and Indigenous liaison working in decolonized community arts, Carmel animates discussions as a member of the Elder/Knowledge Keeper Circle advisory counsel for Ottawa University’s Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) and is also a member of the Circle of Wisdom Council at Western University. Recent multimedia projects include digital podcast #83, the short films Bringing the Land to the City and There are No Words, and music videos Homeless Wassail and Water is Life for Just Voices Activist Choir. Current projects include co-coordinating McMaster University’s Echoes From This Land project supporting artists in gaining a better understanding of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action through the visual arts.

Vanessa Newhook (she/her)
Research Assistant

Vanessa Newhook was born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work at Memorial University and worked in Newfoundland as a registered social worker for several years before moving to Ontario and continuing her career. She is Currently a Masters of Social Work Student with McMaster Universities Critical Leadership Program. Vanessa has held a number of positions supporting refugees and newcomers with adapting to life in Canada and navigating mental health challenges. Vanessa has interest in enhancing accessibility of services for all within a health care settings.

Ehitohameh Oware (she/her)
Research Assistant

Ehitohameh Oware is a dedicated fourth-year Honours Social Work Student, specializing in advocacy and equity, complemented by an Interdisciplinary Minor in Africa and Black Diaspora Studies. Her commitment to empowering marginalized communities, especially youth and families, drives her passion for social justice. With a keen interest in the intersection of law, policy, and social work, Ehitohameh seeks innovative ways to effect positive change in people’s lives. Beyond academia, she finds joy in sketching, exploring new culinary experiences, and capturing moments through photography. 

Elisa Mata (she/her)
Research Assistant

Elisa is a fourth-year student in McMaster’s Honours Bachelor of Social Work program. In addition to her degree, she is completing a minor in Mental Health, Addiction, and Society and a Concurrent Certificate in Child Welfare. Elisa is passionate about working with children, families, women and gender-diverse folks. She completed her first placement at Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she supported youth in schools, and has experience as a peer-support volunteer at the safe(r) space of McMaster’s Women and Gender Equity Network. Elisa has several years of experience working with young people as an art instructor and is passionate about integrating art-based practices into her future social work career and research. Elisa’s current research interests include social work education and history, youth agency, the Latino-Canadian experience, constructions of mental health, and sex and gender-based violence. Outside of work and school, Elisa enjoys watching movies and creating art through painting, drawing or sculpting.

Varinder Singh (he/him)
Videographer

Varinder Singh, a dynamic commercial Director of Photography and cinematographer rooted in Alberta’s vibrant landscape. Specializing in narrative-driven advertisements, films, and documentaries, he immigrated to Canada from Punjab, India in 2017 and is working as a full-time video producer for the marketing and advertising companies, educational institutes and non-profit organizations.

Simon Lebrun (he/him)
IT Support

Simon is a technology consultant based in Hamilton with a strong interest in community development. He has led multi-disciplinary teams building technology-supported answers to human problems in curriculum design, industrial process, career re-training, community development, publication, access to justice, and adult education applications.

Tor Laine
Research Assistant

Tor Laine is a PhD student at McMaster University’s School of Social Work, with a focus on work experiences, feminism, and social policy. Originally from Northwestern Ontario, Tor spent several years as a policy analyst at Health Canada before turning to social work. Tor has been an emergency department social worker, partnered with police as a crisis worker on a mental health co-response team, and provided field instruction to BSW students in placement. Tor provides French language support to the Understanding Social Work Leadership in Canada project.

Ebony Morris (she/her)
Research Assistant

Ebony Morris earned an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, specializing in Forensic Anthropology. She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor (JD) at the University of Calgary.

Her work in the public sector reflects a strong commitment to inspiring and empowering racialized, Black, and 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Canada. Through her role with Nusura Consulting, she continues to advocate for justice and address systemic inequities contributing to the overrepresentation of Black and racialized individuals in the criminal justice system.

Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Ebony enjoys water sports, exploring creative projects, and reading.

Leo Svatek (he/him)
Research Assistant

Leo is a first year student in McMaster’s Arts and Science program. He was born in London Ontario, and raised in Ottawa. He is passionate about inclusion and lgbtq+ rights.