Jess Whitley is a Full Professor and Vice-Dean for Research and Professional Development at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Education, where she holds a University Research Chair on Inclusion, Mental Health and School Attendance in partnership with Crossroads Children's Mental Health Centre. Her work focuses on improving educational experiences for students with special needs through research, teaching, and policy engagement. Dr. Whitley earned her educational qualifications from prestigious Canadian institutions: Ph.D. in Educational Psychology – Special Education, University of Alberta (2006) M.A. in Educational Psychology – Inclusive Education, McGill University (2003) B.A. in Education (Primary/Junior), University of Ottawa (2001) H.B.A. in Psychology, University of Ottawa (2000) Her research centers on school attendance and absenteeism, inclusive education policy, mental health literacy in schools, and teacher preparation for inclusive classrooms. She employs diverse methodologies including longitudinal surveys, focus groups, and community-based participatory research to examine psychosocial functioning and mental health of students with special needs. Her work has gained significant media attention through outlets like The Globe and Mail, CBC, and The Conversation. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on pandemic impacts on vulnerable students, school attendance challenges, and inclusive education policy implementation. Her research spans educational psychology, mental health promotion, and special education policy with particular emphasis on collaborative approaches between schools, families, and community organizations. Her notable recognitions include: Prix commémoratif Carol Crealock (2022) Prix du nouveau chercheur from the University of Ottawa (2011) Dr. Whitley actively supervises numerous graduate students and leads major research initiatives including the Canadian School Attendance Partnership, developmental evaluation of Nova Scotia's Inclusive Education Policy, and the Ontario School Inclusion Survey. She has secured significant funding from SSHRC and other agencies to support her collaborative research with community organizations and school boards across Canada. Her laboratory work centers on the Canadian School Attendance Partnership and the CCMHC-uOttawa Partnership, focusing on data-driven approaches to understanding school attendance problems and developing evidence-based interventions for students with mental health challenges and special educational needs.
