معرفی
Dr. Lesley A Frank holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Food, Health and Social Justice at Acadia University since 2020, focusing on addressing food insecurity among vulnerable families and children in Canada while advancing health equity through policy-oriented research. Her work examines the social determinants of hunger and its impacts on physical, mental, and social health across Canadian communities.
Frank's research centers on food justice, health equity, and poverty alleviation, with particular emphasis on infant and child food security, breastfeeding challenges in food-insecure households, and the intersection of austerity policies with nutritional vulnerability. Her approach combines quantitative analysis of policy impacts with qualitative investigations into lived experiences of stigma and social exclusion among affected populations, especially women and rural communities.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent thematic focus on Nova Scotia's child poverty crisis, infant feeding systems, and pandemic-related food access disruptions. Her work demonstrates methodological diversity through report cards, systematic reviews, and mixed-methods studies, consistently highlighting how food insecurity undermines health outcomes and educational achievement while costing the healthcare system significantly.
Scientific awards:
- Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Food, Health and Social Justice, 2020
Frank leads a research team that develops survey instruments and collaborates with community stakeholders to translate findings into actionable policy recommendations. Her work bridges academic research with community advocacy through annual poverty report cards and partnerships with food security organizations, aiming to strengthen social safety nets for vulnerable Canadian families.
