Ashley Amson

Ashley Amson is an Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) at the University of Waterloo, specializing in digital health communication and public health policy. Her research focuses on the impact of social media algorithms and digital marketing on adolescent health behaviors, particularly gender differences in exposure to unhealthy food promotions. She holds a BSc in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa, an MPH in Health Promotion from the University of Alberta, and a PhD in Population Health from the University of Ottawa. Amson is a Health Policy and Systems Researcher, contributing to chronic disease prevention strategies and Indigenous health equity.

Her teaching interests include digital health communication, youth health promotion, and media literacy. While currently not accepting graduate students, her work bridges academic research with public health practice through knowledge translation. Key awards include the Academic All-Canadian honor from the University of Alberta.

Amson’s publications analyze social media’s role in shaping adolescent diets, gendered marketing tactics, and culturally sustainable nutritional interventions for Indigenous populations. Her research emphasizes actionable insights for public health policy and behavioral economics frameworks.