Norine Verberg

Norine Verberg is a Senior Researcher in the Department of Sociology at St. Francis Xavier University. Her work spans family sociology, social policy, and community development, with a focus on family-based activism and refugee settlement. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo in 1994.

• Current role: Senior Researcher
• Department: Sociology
• University: St. Francis Xavier University

Her research explores:

• Family responses to preventable tragedies (e.g., Westray Families Group)
• Private refugee sponsorship models
• Community development in rural Nova Scotia
• University-community collaborations (e.g., WUSC Student Refugee Program)
• Social inequality and policy reform

Her recent publications analyze university-community partnerships and post-tragedy activism, emphasizing meso-level interventions and rural settlement strategies. Key themes include social justice, collective memory, and policy innovation.

Scientific recognition includes:

• St. Francis Xavier University Outreach Award (2017)

Verberg's work connects academic research with grassroots community efforts, particularly in refugee resettlement and trauma response.