Tina Block

Dr. Tina Block is an Associate Professor of Canadian History at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), specializing in the social history of religion and irreligion in postwar North America. Her research focuses on regional secularization patterns, particularly in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, exploring how geographic identity intersects with non-religious practices and family dynamics.

Block holds a PhD in History from the University of Victoria (2006) and dual BA degrees from the University of Calgary (1996, History; 1993, English). Her work emphasizes oral histories and community-engaged research, including the Tranquille Oral History Project in Kamloops. She has secured significant funding through SSHRC grants, including a recent Insight Grant ($85,189) for her ongoing study of unbelief in Canada (1950s-1980s).

Her monograph The Secular Northwest: Religion and Irreligion in Everyday Postwar Life (UBC Press, 2016) examines how BC's cultural identity became increasingly secular compared to other regions. Current research investigates the lived experiences of unbelievers through 90+ interviews across Canada, analyzing intersections with class, gender, and race.

Block co-directs the International Society for Historians of Atheism, Secularism, and Humanism (ISHASH). At TRU, she teaches courses including BC History, Gender History, and The Historian's Craft, emphasizing undergraduate research opportunities. She values TRU's supportive research environment and its growing reputation for innovative academic programs.