معرفی
Denise Whitehead is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Sexualities, Relationships, and Families at St. Jerome’s University (University of Waterloo), with a cross-appointment in Sociology and Legal Studies. She holds a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School, a PhD in Family Relations and Human Development (University of Guelph), and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario. Her research focuses on socio-legal aspects of family law, including mediation services, shared custody, child support, and caregiving for individuals with episodic disabilities. She has led influential studies on children’s perspectives in shared custody arrangements and frequently engages with legal professionals.
Education highlights include a JD from York University, MSc/PhD from University of Guelph, and BA from University of Western Ontario. She is a Certified Family Life Educator (NCFR) and has held a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Guelg
Her research interests critically examine intersections between law, policy, and family dynamics, particularly in post-separation contexts. Key themes include equitable access to mediation services, father involvement post-divorce, and legal frameworks supporting caregiving responsibilities. Recent work analyzes the effectiveness of Ontario’s publicly funded mediation programs and the lived experiences of children in shared custody arrangements.
Her scholarly contributions include co-authoring Youth in Conflict with the Law (2018) and co-editing The Handbook of Work-Family Integration (2008). Awards include the H.H. Harshman Graduate Scholarship and multiple research grants from AFCC-Ontario and the Ministry of Justice Canada. She actively contributes to legal education through courses like ‘Love and the Law’ and ‘Family Policy and the Law’, emphasizing practical legal literacy for diverse family structures.
