Alexa McDonough Institute for Women, Gender, and Social Justice

The Alexa McDonough Institute for Women, Gender, and Social Justice aims to promote equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and to improve lives through feminist and decolonial initiatives. The institute also extends knowledge and an intersectional understanding of issues related to women, girls, gender, and social justice by connecting researchers, students, and community partners at the Mount and beyond. The institute is home to the Nancy Rowell Jackman Chair in Women’s Studies (Nancy’s Chair) and currently the 18th Nancy’s Chair (2024-2026) is Dr. Mary Rita Holland.

Developmental Psychobiology Research Centre (DPRC)

The Developmental Psychobiology Research Centre (DPRC) is led by Dr. Jennifer Khoury and her team at Mount Saint Vincent University. In the DPRC we seek to understand how early life experiences influence biological, psychological, and social development. We take an interdisciplinary and multi-method approach to examine the impact of early experiences on the brain and behaviour in both parents and children, beginning during the prenatal period and spanning to later childhood.

Dr. Rosemarie Sampson Centre on Aging

The Dr. Rosemarie Sampson Centre on Aging provides modern office space that will enable new synergies within the university and beyond in order to embrace the opportunities and challenges of an aging population. The Dr. Rosemarie Sampson Centre on Aging is located on the 2nd Floor of the Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research. Dr. Zachary Zimmer is both the Canadian Research Chair in, and Director of Global Aging and Community Initiatives. The centre is home to:

Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre (ECCRC)

The Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre (ECCRC) is led by Dr. Jessie-Lee McIsaac, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Early Childhood: Diversity and Transitions. Research at ECCRC focuses on enhancing early childhood well-being by ensuring that policy and practice supports families across different environments. We work with community, policy makers, and engaged families to produce research that mobilizes diverse knowledge and experiences.

Nova Scotia Centre on Aging

The Nova Scotia Centre on Aging works in collaboration with many others – academic community, government, private sector, voluntary/professional organizations – to advance knowledge on aging-related issues. Our work includes conducting research projects and evaluation studies; organizing lectures, workshops and conferences; developing and reviewing curricula; translating research findings into various products (e.g., briefs, background papers, podcasts, videos); and providing consultative services to community, organizations and government. It is our goal that through research, education and community engagement the NSCA will inform policy and practice to enhance the quality of life of older adults and their families. The Centre’s Director is Dr. Janice Keefe, Professor and Lena Isabel Jodrey Chair in Gerontology, Department of Aging and Family Science.