About
Heather Aldersey is a Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy. A recipient of the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, she completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina. She completed her MSc and PhD at the University of Kansas at the Beach Centre on Family and Disability. Following her PhD, she completed a CIHR funded post-doctoral fellowship at McGill University at the Douglas Research Centre. She joined Queen’s University in 2014 as a Queen’s National Scholar in International Community Based Rehabilitation. Many of her current research projects are affiliated with the International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation, which she has Directed since 2015.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Kansas)
Master of Science (Special Education, University of Kansas)
Bachelor of Arts (International Studies/French, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Research
Dr. Aldersey's research program aims to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities globally. She works towards achieving this aim by examining support structures for people with disabilities and their families, evaluating the processes and outcomes of implementing community based rehabilitation programs, and translating findings to inform disability policy and practice. Dr. Aldersey's scholarship draws upon local strengths and capabilities and seeks to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families globally.
Current Research Projects
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Life Beyond Services: Promoting natural and formal supports in Canada
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Balancing Act: Learning from Global Examples of Effective Community Supports for Persons with Disabilities
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University of Gondar / Queen’s University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
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Queen Elizabeth Scholars – West Africa program for disability inclusion in education and health
Supervision
Dr. Aldersey supervises students in the programs listed below. To learn more about her students and alumni, visit the Our Community pages.
Dr. Aldersey frequently has opportunities for Master’s, PhD, and Post-doctoral trainees.
Peer Reviewed Publications
For a list of Dr. Aldersey’s publications, please refer to her Google Scholar Profile.
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