معرفی
Dr. Deinera Exner-Cortens is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Arts, holding multiple prestigious appointments including CIHR Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Childhood Health Promotion, Adjunct Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Work, and Joint Appointment in the Cumming School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry. She maintains full memberships in several key research institutes including the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (Owerko Centre), and O'Brien Institute for Public Health.
- BSc in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology (minor: Music), University of Calgary, 2007
- MPH in Social and Behavioral Science, Boston University, 2009
- MA in Human Development, Cornell University, 2011
- PhD in Developmental Psychology, Cornell University, 2014
Dr. Exner-Cortens' research program centers on promoting healthy adolescent development through the lens of relationship health, with particular emphasis on preventing adolescent dating violence and fostering positive youth development. Her work examines how unhealthy relationships in adolescence correlate with adverse outcomes across the lifespan, and she leads evaluations of healthy relationships programs in school and community settings across Alberta. Her methodological approach combines mixed-methods research with strong academic-community partnerships, addressing critical areas including school mental health, violence prevention, suicide prevention, and program evaluation.
Analysis of her recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on adolescent mental health, with particular attention to marginalized populations including Indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, and gender-diverse adolescents. Her work increasingly incorporates social justice frameworks, examining power dynamics in relationships and developing equity-focused interventions. Methodologically, she demonstrates expertise in social network analysis, longitudinal research, and community-based participatory approaches, with growing attention to implementation science and policy translation.
Dr. Exner-Cortens has received significant recognition for her early-career contributions:
- Innovation Award: Leadership in Family Violence Prevention from the Government of Alberta (2020)
- John B. Reid Early Career Award from the Society for Prevention Research (2020)
- Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine, Calgary (2019)
She actively contributes to major university strategic initiatives including Brain and Mental Health (2015-2021), Child Health and Wellness (2020-2025), and Human Dynamics in a Changing World (2015-2021). Her research program demonstrates strong integration across multiple sectors, with particular expertise in translating research into school-based interventions and policy recommendations for adolescent health promotion.
Dr. Exner-Cortens leads community-engaged research teams focused on adolescent relationship health, collaborating extensively with school districts, community organizations, and government agencies across Alberta. Her work with the Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute specifically targets childhood health and wellness through interdisciplinary approaches that bridge psychology, medicine, and social work.
