Appointment of Director of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study
Dear OISE Community,
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Jennifer Jenkins of the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development as Director of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2023. I would like to thank the members of the advisory committee for their important work in selecting a new Director.
Professor Jenkins received her PhD in Psychology from the University of London's Institute of Child Health in 1987 and joined the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor in 1991, appointed at first to the Institute of Child Study. In 1996 she received tenure and joined APHD, and was promoted to Professor in 2001. Since 2010, she has held the prestigious Atkinson Chair in Early Child Development and Education.
Professor Jenkins is an internationally recognized scholar and leader in the generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge in the field of child development mental health. With a focus on the cognitive and social-emotional development of preschool and school-aged children, she has conducted longitudinal cohort studies examining the interplay between biological vulnerability and high-risk environments and has connected her research to policy and practice. Her publication record includes 5 books and over 100 refereed articles. Her extensive funding record includes support from SSHRC, CIHR, CFI, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, the Lawson Foundation, and the McCain Family Foundation. She is also a dedicated teacher who has supervised more than 40 graduate theses to completion, and was the 2006 recipient of the David E. Hunt Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching.
Professor Jenkins’ extensive administrative experience includes service as Associate Chair of APHD (1996-98), Director of the Laidlaw Centre (2000-01), Program Chair of the Developmental Psychology and Education graduate program (2001-04; 2018-21), Director of Academic Programs at the Fraser Mustard Institute of Human Development (2015-16), Director of the Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development (2010-present).
Please join me in congratulating Jenny on her appointment and in welcoming her as the next Director of JICS!
Thank you,
Normand Labrie, Ph.D., FRSC
Professor and Interim Dean