Dr. Kara Thompson, a StFX professor who is widely recognized nationally and provincially for her research contributions on alcohol policy and substance use in young adulthood, has been appointed Research Chair in Substance Use Policy & Prevention within the Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health and the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at StFX.
Dr. Thompson is a faculty member in the StFX Psychology Department and Coordinator of StFX’s Interdisciplinary Health Program. She leads the Substance Use and Health in Emerging Adulthood (SHEA) Lab at StFX, is the co-chair of the Nova Scotia Alcohol Policy Coalition, and a member of the Atlantic Alcohol Policy Network. She is also a collaborating scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and was a scientific expert for the development of Canada’s new guidance on alcohol and health.
The appointment, effective July 1, 2024, is for a five-year term, and recognizes Dr. Thompson’s significant research and knowledge translation contributions to substance use policy and harm reduction across the country and the impact she continues to make on health and wellness in Nova Scotia.
Her innovative research program aligns with the vision for the Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health, placing a strategic emphasis on upstream approaches to address the harm from substance use among young people.
“I am truly honoured to accept the research chair position within the Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health and the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government. This role offers a tremendous opportunity to push the boundaries of research and create impactful innovations in substance use and health promotion. I am excited to contribute to the institution's mission and foster a collaborative environment that connects academic research with community needs," Dr. Thompson says.
WORK WILL BE PIVOTAL
Elizabeth Yeo, StFX Vice-President of Students, who together with Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health in Nova Scotia, co-chairs the NS Post-Secondary Alcohol/Substance Harm Reduction Working Group, of which Dr. Thompson is a member, says they are thrilled to welcome Dr. Thompson to the new research chair.
This group is using Dr. Thompson’s research on campus alcohol policies to develop an alcohol policy template that postsecondary institutes can use to strengthen their alcohol policies and reduce student alcohol use and harm.
"Dr. Thompson's extensive expertise and passion for advancing substance use policy and prevention are invaluable assets to our institution and the broader community. In her new role, Dr. Thompson will be instrumental in supporting the work of the NS Post-Secondary Alcohol/Substance Harm Reduction Working Group, facilitating crucial communication and collaboration between the Chief Medical Officer of Health, senior student affairs leaders, and postsecondary student leaders,” Ms. Yeo says.
“Her leadership will be pivotal in exchanging evidence-based practices and coordinating efforts to implement effective harm reduction strategies across Nova Scotia's postsecondary institutions. We look forward to the positive impact Dr. Thompson will undoubtedly have on promoting healthier and safer campus environments."
Dr. Thompson is also working with the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) to develop a multi-media toolkit for postsecondary institutions to disseminate Canada’s New Guidance on Alcohol and Health to students.
POTENTIAL TO BETTER SOMEONE’S LIFE
As a developmental psychologist, Dr. Thompson is particularly interested in strengthening understanding of how mental health and substance use change across the life course, and the implications of specific trajectories for health. Substance use and mental health account for a considerable portion of the global burden of disease and adolescence and young adult is a particularly vulnerable time when these issues first emerge. Being able to intervene at this important developmental period can have life-long consequences for health and well-being, she says.
Dr. Thompson says she values conducting applied research that has the potential to better someone’s life and that can be used to inform and strengthen policies and programs to support them in that.
“The key objectives of my research program are to inform policies and practices that will support positive mental health and healthy choices related to substance use, particularly for youth. The ultimate goal is to assist youth in successfully transitioning into adulthood and minimize the negative impacts that mental health and substance use problems can have on healthy development.”
Dr. Thompson holds a PhD in lifespan development psychology from the University of Victoria. As a researcher, she has received over $4.5 million in funding as a principle or co-applicant for various research projects, and she has 75 peer-reviewed publications. She is regularly contacted by the media for interviews related to her work. At StFX, she was awarded the 2021 President’s Research Award and she holds the 2023-2025 Jules Léger Scholar in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Originally from Prince Edward Island, Dr. Thompson says being able to contribute to enhancing health and wellness within the Maritime provinces is very rewarding.
