Researchers

Faculty

Maritt Kirst

Maritt Kirst is an Assistant Professor and Co-Program Coordinator for the Community Psychology Program at Laurier, a Co-Director of the Centre for Community Learning (CCRLA), and an Assistant Professor (status-only) in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Before joining the Community Psychology program at Wilfrid Laurier University, she held Scientist positions at the Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre and the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

Doctoral Students

Margaret Douglin

Margaret Douglin is a PhD student in the Community Psychology program at Wilfrid Laurier University and has a strong commitment to equity and social justice. She has worked as an educational researcher for several years and her research interests are focused on the well-being of students in the public school system. Margaret is also collaborating on projects to support adults and youth experiencing homelessness.  

Master's Students

Oeishi Faruquzzaman

Oeishi Faruquzzaman is a first-year MA student in Community Psychology. Her research interests include mental health and addiction. In particular, she is interested in understanding how individuals in the South Asian community experience mental illness and utilize mental health interventions.

Victoria Rozycki

Victoria Rozycki is a first-year Master's student in Community Psychology. Her research focuses predominantly on the experiences of individuals living with mental health and addiction. 

Megan Strazds-Esenbergs

Megan Strazds-Esenbergs is a M.A. candidate in the Community Psychology program at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo. With the support of her supervisor Dr. Maritt Kirst, Megan aims to explore the development of the Cambridge North Dumfries Ontario Health Team.

Megan received her Honours B.A., from the University of Waterloo where she majored in Psychology, and earned a minor in Social Development Studies. As well, during her fifth year in her Undergraduate studies, Megan completed a capstone project with Big Brothers Big Sisters Waterloo Region, investigating the social and emotional impacts of the one-to-one mentorship program.

Emily Weatherhead

Emily Weatherhead is second-year MA student in the Community Psychology program. She has a strong interest in community mental health research, and in post-secondary student mental health in particular. Currently, she is working with a team from Laurier’s Community and Workplace Partnerships to explore the relationship between Community Service Learning and undergraduate student mental health. She also works to foster graduate student wellness at Laurier as the Wellness Coordinator for the Graduate Students’ Association.