Jane Whalen
PhD Candidate (ABD), Wilfrid Laurier University
Degrees: M.A., The University of Western Ontario 2006; B.A.(Honours.), The University of Western Ontario 2005
During the first two years of my doctoral studies I received outstanding encouragement and supervision from staff and faculty at all three campuses. The Tri-University program truly has provided me the “best of both worlds” and although my daughter will think that is a reference to Hannah Montana it is actually a reference to the fact that I have been exposed to a large number of faculty, students, and courses at all three campuses, while maintaining a closer knit community feel at my home university, WLU. I would be happy to share further insights with prospective students regarding my experiences in the Tri-U program so please do not hesitate to contact me (whal2788@wlu.ca).
Under the supervision of Dr. Susan Neylan (WLU-History) and Dr. Jody Decker (WLU-Geography), my dissertation examines the links between policy, policymakers, and the rise of tuberculosis among Aboriginal peoples in late 19th and early 20th century Canada. More broadly, my research interests include pre- and post- Confederation Canadian history, the social history of disease in North America, and ‘Native-Newcomer’ relations.
I am currently working on an article that examines the early twentieth century public health crusades of Ontario physician Peter H. Bryce. This article will consider the myriad challenges Bryce negotiated during his tenure as Canada’s first Chief Medical Officer and assess Bryce’s legacy as a health care champion for ‘Indians’ and immigrants.