New Canada Research Chair addresses health policy, reducing inequity
Dr. Terra Manca appointed Canada Research Chair in Regulation, Social Governance, and Inequities in Health
Athabasca University’s newest Canada Research Chair will study vaccination in pregnancy to improve vaccine uptake and explore ways to reduce health inequity for all Canadians.
Dr. Terra Manca has been appointed Canada Research Chair in Regulation, Social Governance, and Inequities in Health. Manca, an assistant professor and sociologist in the Faculty of Health Disciplines, studies health risks and inequities related to vaccine regulation, social governance, and social inequities.
“There are gaps in the evidence and communication about vaccination while pregnant or breastfeeding,” she said.
Three active Canada Research Chairs at AU
Manca’s appointment will allow her to expand her research and explore how regulatory governance and policy leads to—and in some cases, worsens—social inequities.
She will also look at how gender and other social categories shape health governance and vaccination. A third component of her work will advance research into how individuals are responsible for health risks and caregiving.
Manca is the third active Canada Research Chair at AU, which has six chairholder allocations. The other active chairs include Dr. Scott Ketcheson, Canada Research Chair in Hydrological Sustainability, and Dr. Mickey Valley, Canada Research Chair in Sound Studies.
“Canada Research Chair positions are both anchors of, and opportunities for, advancing Athabasca University’s research culture,” said Dr. Andrew Perrin, associate vice-president of research at AU.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Manca at AU and even more so about the transformative impact of her work for bettering the lives of Canadians through minimizing barriers to health systems and supports.”
Learn more about research at AU.
