Karen Soldatic

Professor Karen Soldatic holds the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Disability Studies. She earned a PhD from the University of Western Australia, an MSW from Western Sydney University, and an MEd from the University of Sydney. Her research examines disability, marginality, and global inequality through a lens of social, cultural, and political factors impacting health equity. She collaborates with marginalized communities globally, focusing on equitable access to disability and health services in Australia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Key partnerships include multinational corporations (e.g., Microsoft UK), global policy institutes (UN, NATO), and grassroots organizations like the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence. Her work bridges academic rigor with community-driven solutions, influencing global disability policy and advocacy. Notable contributions include the Dalarinji Project, which centers Indigenous knowledge in disability research, and studies on technology-facilitated violence against women with disabilities in LMICs.

Her research themes include intersectional colonialities, structural determinants of health, and the digital welfare state’s impact on marginalized groups. Prof. Soldatic’s interdisciplinary approach integrates sociology, disability studies, and public health to address systemic inequities. Recent work emphasizes Indigenous LGBTIQSB+ rights, healthcare access for migrant carers, and algorithmic bias in social service delivery.

• Scientific Awards: Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing
• Grants/Advising: Leads the CERC program with industry and public sector partnerships; mentors interdisciplinary research teams
• Labs/Teams: CERC Health Equity Hub, Dalarinji Research Collective