Laura Pacheco

Dr. Laura Pacheco is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work at Memorial University. She holds a BSW and MSW from McGill University and a PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine from the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on reproductive justice, intellectual disability and parenting, structural violence against women with disabilities, neurodiversity in aging, and social justice within health and social service systems. She has conducted post-doctoral work on support needs for parents with intellectual disabilities and has been a clinician, advocate, and program coordinator in parenting services for over 14 years. She teaches courses emphasizing critical social work practice, anti-oppression, and disability studies.

Her funded research includes studies on neurodiverse aging (2020–2023) and service pathways for parents with intellectual impairments (2018–2021). She is an executive member of the International Association on the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability (IASSIDD) and has contributed to international workshops and conferences. Her work bridges academic research with community engagement, advocating for systemic equity and inclusive policies.