Dr. Tracie Afifi, PhD

Dr. Tracie Afifi is a professor in community health sciences and psychiatry at the University of Manitoba. She is also a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Childhood Adversity and Resilience. In addition, Dr. Afifi is an associate editor of Child Abuse & Neglect, an Associate Scientific Editor of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada, and a Senior Editor of Biomedical & Health Sciences section of FACETS. Her work has informed health policy and legislative changes at the national and international levels.

 

Education

2000-2003, Master of Science, Family Social Sciences, University of Manitoba, “Child Physical Abuse and Adolescent Motherhood”

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2004-2009, Doctorate of Philosophy, Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, “Problem Gambling among Women in Canada”

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Research

Dr. Afifi’s primary research interests are in the areas of child maltreatment and mental health with a focus on resilience, intervention, and prevention. Her work focuses on protective factors related to better outcomes for children and adults following childhood adversity as well as primary prevention of child maltreatment. She has also conducted research to advance knowledge related harms and prevention of spanking.

 

In addition, Dr. Afifi is leader in the field of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Dr. Afifi has also conducted work to understand trauma among members of the Canadian Armed Forces and among public safety personnel. She has published over 190 peer-reviewed journal publications and has over 175 conference presentations at national and international conferences.

Dr. Afifi’s work has generated global media attention, including CNN, Headline News, CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, CBC, CTV, Global TV, Canada AM, TIME, USA Today, Washington Post, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Globe and Mail.

 

Awards and Recognitions

• 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award for Academic Innovation from the University of Manitoba

• 2021 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award in the Mercedes-Benz Emerging Leader Category selected by the WXN’s Diversity Council of Canada

• 2021 Recipient of a Merit Award in the Research, Scholarly Work, and Creative Activities Category from the University of Manitoba and University of Manitoba Faculty Association ($3000).

• 2018 Recipient of The Royal-Mach-Gaensslen Prize for Mental Health Research from The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research

• 2018 CIHR Gold Leaf Prize for Outstanding Achievements by an Early Career Investigator

• 2017 Merit Award in Research from the University of Manitoba

• 2017 Member of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists

• 2016 CBC Manitoba Future 402014 RH Award from the University of Manitoba and the Winnipeg Rh Institute Foundation

• 2013-2018 CIHR New Investigator Award2013 Merit Award in Research from the University of Manitoba

• 2013 Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children, Children’s Rights Support Award