Dr. Nancy Clark is a dedicated scholar and researcher in the field of nursing, with a particular focus on addressing social and structural inequities in mental health care for underserved populations. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Victoria, where she engages in teaching, research, and community-based initiatives aimed at promoting health equity. Dr. Clark’s research is rooted in critical theory and intersectionality, emphasizing systemic issues such as racism, classism, and sexism that contribute to social exclusion. Her work has led to meaningful contributions in public policy and healthcare service delivery. As a leader in numerous professional organizations, she collaborates with academic, community, and government partners to enhance the well-being of marginalized groups, particularly immigrants and refugees.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Nancy Clark holds a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of British Columbia (2015), where her dissertation explored community capacity to support Karen refugee women’s mental health during resettlement. She also earned an M.Sc. in Nursing (2005) and a B.Sc. in Nursing (1993) from the same institution. Additionally, she holds a Diploma in Nursing from Langara College (1990). Her academic foundation combines rigorous training in nursing with a focus on mental health and social justice, enabling her to tackle complex healthcare challenges.
Professional Experience
Dr. Clark has over three decades of professional experience in nursing, academia, and community practice. Since 2017, she has served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Victoria, where she teaches and conducts research on mental health equity. Her previous roles include faculty appointments at Vancouver Community College and adjunct positions at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. Dr. Clark also has extensive experience in clinical practice, having worked in roles such as Community Mental Health Nurse, Case Manager, and Clinical Instructor in mental health and addictions. Her diverse career highlights her expertise in both theoretical and applied aspects of nursing and mental health care.
Research Interests
Dr. Clark’s research focuses on the intersection of mental health, social justice, and public policy, with an emphasis on addressing inequities affecting refugees, immigrants, and other marginalized groups. Her work explores the impact of systemic factors like racism, classism, and sexism on healthcare access and outcomes. She employs qualitative research methods, including ethnography and community-based participatory approaches, to give voice to underserved populations. Her program of research seeks to promote social justice by influencing healthcare policies and practices to recognize and address structural vulnerabilities. She is particularly interested in post-colonial and intersectionality theories, which frame her critical examination of health disparities.
Research Skills
Dr. Clark possesses advanced research skills in qualitative methodologies, including ethnographic and community-based participatory research. Her expertise extends to applying critical theoretical frameworks such as intersectionality and standpoint feminism to investigate systemic inequities in healthcare. She is adept at conducting gender-based policy analyses and translating research findings into actionable policy recommendations. Additionally, her experience in community engagement enables her to design and implement research projects that are both impactful and culturally sensitive, ensuring that marginalized populations have a voice in shaping health services and policies.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Clark’s contributions to nursing and mental health research have earned her numerous accolades and leadership roles. She is a recognized member of several prestigious organizations, including the Health Equity Collaborative Network and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, where she chaired the Mental Health Nurse Educator Group. Her appointment as an Affiliate Researcher at multiple institutions, such as the UBC Centre for Migration Studies and Fraser Health Authority, underscores her influence in the field. Additionally, she has been invited to serve as a Council Member for Pathways to Prosperity Canada, highlighting her commitment to fostering inclusive communities.
Conclusion
Dr. Nancy Clark is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her impactful contributions to addressing health inequities among marginalized populations. Her work is rooted in critical theory, social justice, and community engagement, making her research highly relevant and transformative. By expanding her dissemination efforts and emphasizing quantifiable impacts, she could further solidify her position as a leading researcher in the field.
Publication Top Notes
- Spirituality and treatment choices by South and East Asian women with serious mental illness
Authors: L Chiu, M Morrow, S Ganesan, N Clark
Year: 2005
Citations: 81
- Pilot study and evaluation of postgraduate course on “the interface between spirituality, religion and psychiatry”
Authors: A Grabovac, N Clark, M McKenna
Year: 2008
Citations: 72
- Applying intersectionality with constructive grounded theory as an innovative research approach for studying complex populations: Demonstrating congruency
Authors: S Kassam, L Marcellus, N Clark, J O’Mahony
Year: 2020
Citations: 53
- Religion and spirituality in the context of bipolar disorder: A literature review
Authors: B Pesut, N Clark, V Maxwell, EE Michalak
Year: 2011
Citations: 51
- Immigrant women and mental health care: Findings from an environmental scan
Authors: J O’Mahony, N Clark
Year: 2018
Citations: 46
- Exploring community capacity: Karen refugee women’s mental health
Author: N Clark
Year: 2018
Citations: 42
- Applying critical race feminism and intersectionality to narrative inquiry: A point of resistance for Muslim nurses donning a hijab
Authors: N Clark, N Saleh
Year: 2019
Citations: 39
- Understanding how self-management interventions work for disadvantaged populations living with chronic conditions: Protocol for a realist synthesis
Authors: SL Mills, J Pumarino, N Clark, S Carroll, S Dennis, S Koehn, T Yu, …
Year: 2014
Citations: 30
- Exploring intersectionality as a policy tool for gender-based policy analysis: Implications for language and health literacy as key determinants of integration
Authors: N Clark, B Vissandjée
Year: 2019
Citations: 15
- Themes for evaluating the quality of initiatives to engage patients and family caregivers in decision-making in healthcare systems: A scoping review
Authors: CB Hamilton, M Dehnadi, ME Snow, N Clark, M Lui, J McLean, …
Year: 2021
Citations: 12