Kim Matheson

Dr. Kim Matheson is the joint Research Chair in Culture and Gender Mental Health in Carleton University's Department of Neuroscience and the Royal’s Institute of Mental Health. As founding Director of the Canadian Health Adaptations, Innovations, & Mobilization (CHAIM) Centre, she has led interdisciplinary research focused on Indigenous mental health resilience. Previously serving as Carleton’s Vice-President (Research & International) from 2007-2015, she currently directs the Indigenous Youth Futures Partnership, collaborating with First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario to foster youth flourishing through culturally grounded initiatives.

Her research emphasizes cultural and psychosocial determinants of mental health, employing mixed-methods approaches including community-based participatory research. The Matheson Lab prioritizes social justice and equity, ensuring research outcomes are actionable for marginalized communities. Courses taught include NEUR 4303 (Indigenous Health and Mental Health) and NEUR 5801 (Knowledge Mobilization).

Research trends reflect focus on Indigenous resilience, intergenerational trauma from Indian Residential Schools, and systemic inequities in mental health. Peer-reviewed work spans neurobiological mechanisms of trauma, culturally adaptive interventions, and decolonizing medical education frameworks. Grants and partnerships include community-driven projects emphasizing participatory research ethics and policy impact.

Labs/Teams: Matheson Lab (focused on Indigenous mental health research); CHAIM Centre (health systems innovation hub). Future initiatives aim to expand community-university partnerships addressing colonial legacies and youth empowerment.