April Mandrona

Dr. April Mandrona is an Assistant Professor at NSCAD University, specializing in art education and critical discourses. Her research focuses on youth and community engagement through creative practices, particularly addressing issues of marginalization, spatial justice, and solidarity. She holds a PhD from Concordia University and completed a SSHRC postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University.

Education:

• PhD in Art Education, Concordia University, Montreal
• SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University (Department of Integrated Studies in Education)

Research Interests: Mandrona’s work explores rurality and spatial justice via visual methodologies, community art education for underserved groups, and ethical creative practices. She emphasizes participatory approaches with marginalized youth, leveraging art to foster agency in addressing societal challenges.

Grants & Projects: As Principal Investigator, she leads the SSHRC-funded 'For Us by Us' project, collaborating with Coventry and McGill Universities to produce children’s picture books by refugee youth. This initiative bridges artistic expression with policy advocacy and community outreach.

Awards:

• SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship
• SSHRC Insight Development Grant

Labs/Teams: Partnerships include international collaborations on rural childhood studies and initiatives with libraries, settlement organizations, and government ministries to disseminate artistic research outcomes.