Nixon | School of Rehabilitation Therapy

Dr. Stephanie Nixon

Position(s)

Vice-Dean (Faculty of Health Sciences)

Director (School of Rehabilitation Therapy)

Contact Information

stephanie.nixon@queensu.ca

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Public Health Science and Collaborative Program in Bioethics), University of Toronto
Master of Science (Rehabilitation Science), University of Toronto
Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy), McMaster University
Bachelor of Arts (Kinesiology), University of Western Ontario

Research

Stephanie co-founded the field of rehabilitation in the context of HIV in Canada the 1990/2000’s, and then Sub-Saharan Africa in the 2000/2010’s. This experience set the stage for the next phase of Stephanie’s research, which explores how systems of oppression shape health research, education and practice, and the role of people in positions of unearned advantage in disrupting these harmful patterns. In 2019, she published the Coin Model of Privilege and Critical Allyship: Implications for Health, an article that translates core concepts in anti-oppression with a focus on accountable action among people in positions of privilege. This work derived from Stephanie’s own learning and unlearning as a straight, able-bodied, white settler woman of English and Irish descent regarding the ways she is structured in history to uphold systems of inequality.

Key resources on the Coin Model of Privilege and Critical Allyship

Article
- English: ‘The coin model of privilege and critical allyship: Implications for health’. 2019. BMC Public Health 19,1637
- French: ‘Le Modèle de la médaille, de privilège et de l'alliance critique: Implications pour la santé’. 2019. BMC Public Health 19, 1637
- Audio version narrated by Stephanie Nixon (1 hour, 25 min) - https://play.library.utoronto.ca/watch/0dd6de5f89b8a1b9b81bd82739111023
11 Questions and Answers about Privilege and Critical Allyship:
- English: 11 Questions about Privilege and Critical Allyship
- French: 11 Questions et réponses sur le Modèle de la médaille
- Audio version narrated by Stephanie Nixon (13 min) - https://play.library.utoronto.ca/watch/f47295ed523e1bb67757f86c0a709094
10-min video introduction to the coin model
- English with English captions: ‘Understanding the role of privilege in relation to public health ethics and practice’, National Collaborating Centre on Health Public Policy, October 2020
- English with French captions: ‘Understanding the role of privilege in relation to public health ethics and practice’, National Collaborating Centre on Health Public Policy, October 2020
23-min video introduction to practicing critical allyship
- English with English captions: ‘Tips for Effective Allyship’, The France Foundation, December 2021
1-hour webinars
- English, original 2017 talk: ‘What every health researcher needs to know about health equity: Privilege, oppression and allyship’, Winnipeg, November 2017
- English: ‘Privilege and critical allyship: Mobilising physiotherapists to dismantle inequalities’, World Physiotherapy IPT-HOPE, August 2020
- English: (with Sudhir Daya, John Hammond, Gita Ramdharry & Andrea Wright): ’Recognising our Superpowers: Mobilising Our Privileges to Advance Physiotherapy’, United Kingdom Chartered Society of Physiotherapy “Founder’s Lecture”, December 2021
90-min webinars
- English: ‘The Coin Model of Privilege and Critical Allyship: Setting the Stage for Action on Anti-Black Racism’, first of a 3-part series presented by the Black Health Education Collaborative for the Medical College of Canada, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and College of Family Physicians of Canada, January 2021
- English: (with Seye Abimbola, Pamela Roach, Catherine Kyobutung & Thoko Elphick-Pooley) Accounting for Power and Privilege to Improve Equity in Partnerships: Unpacking the idea of “decolonizing global health”. 27th Canadian Conference on Global Health, Plenary Panel, November 26, 2021
- English, French, ASL, LSQ: (with Dr. Ed Connors) Opening Ourselves: An Introduction to Anti-Oppression Practices and Frameworks (including intro to Coin Model). Health Excellence Canada, January 13, 2022

Team

Education

Research

Key resources on the Coin Model of Privilege and Critical Allyship