Mingjie (Jessie) Gao

Dr. Jessie Gao is a Data Analyst and Research Scientist for the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW). She completed her MS in Tourism Planning at Peking University in China, and her PhD studies in Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo. Jessie spent several school terms with the CIW as a graduate RA. In January 2018 she joined us full time and is in charge of updating and maintaining the CIW's data repository, working with national, provincial and regional data as well as CIW data from our Community Wellbeing Surveys. Additionally, Jessie assists in preparing various CIW wellbeing reports and the publishing of academic articles. Her current research interests include focusing on adolescents' family vacation and quality of life. 

Selected Publications 

Gao, M. (2017). Exploring the influence of family holidays on Chinese adolescents’ subjective wellbeing. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Waterloo.

Peer-reviewed journal articles

Gao, M., Chen, C. C., Huang, Y. C., & Lin, Y. H. (2019). Work and leisure in Taiwan: examining the antecedents and consequences of work-leisure conflicts. Leisure Studies, 38(1), 128-143.

Gao, M., Havitz, E. M., & Potwarka, R. L. (2018). Exploring the influence of family holiday travel on the subjective well-being of Chinese adolescents. Journal of China Tourism Research, 1-17.

Conference presentations (refereed)

Gao, M., & Smale, B. (in review). The moderating effect of leisure experience on the work-life conflict, mental health, and wellbeing relationship among employed adults. 16th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.

Smale, B., Wilson, J., Akubueze, N., & Gao, M. (in review). The role of leisure in moderating the effect of social isolation on the well-being of older adults. 16^th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.

Gao, M., & Smale, B. (2020, May). Work-life conflict and wellbeing among employed Canadians: Testing the moderation effect of the leisure experience. Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR) 2020 conference. (conference cancelled due to covid-19).

Smale, B., Gao, M., & Yu, J. (2018, September). Gender inequities in wellbeing over time: Selected evidence from the Canadian Index of Wellbeing. Community Indicators Consortium 2018 Impact Summit, Minneapolis, MN.

Gao, M., & Smale, B. (2018, June). Family vacations: Potential benefits for the well-being of adolescents. International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS) 2018 Annual Conference, June 14-16, Hong Kong SAR.

Smale, B., & Gao, M. (2018, June). The contribution of arts participation to various aspects of community quality of life. Promotion of Quality of Life in the Changing World, 16th Annual Meeting, International Society for Quality of Life Studies, Hong Kong.

Gao, M. (2017). Exploring the influence of a family holiday on Chinese adolescents’ subjective wellbeing. 2017 Canadian Congress of Leisure Research, May 23-26, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Gao, M., Havitz, E. M., & Potwarka, R. L. (2016). A study of Chinese single children’s family vacation and wellbeing. 2016 Tourism and Travel Research Association (TTRA) Annual Conference, June 14-16, Vail, Colorado, USA.

Invited presentations

Gao, M., & Smale, B. (2019, September). Factors that can reduce the impact of social isolation on overall wellbeing in Waterloo Region. Invited presentation at Wellbeing Waterloo Region Public Forum, Kitchener, ON.

Selected technical reports

Smale, B., & Gao, M. (2020). A Closer Look: The Nova Scotia Quality of Life Survey based on the CIW Community Wellbeing Survey. A report prepared for Engage Nova Scotia. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and University of Waterloo. 215pp.

Smale, B., Gao, M., & Jiang, K. (2020). An Exploration of Wellbeing in Nova Scotia: A Summary of Results from the Nova Scotia Quality of Life Survey. A report prepared for Engage Nova Scotia. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and University of Waterloo. 284pp.

Smale, B., Gao, M., & Holliday, C. (2020). A Profile of Child and Youth Wellbeing in Waterloo Region: A Summary of Results from the Youth Impact Survey. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and the University of Waterloo. 46pp.

Smale, B., Jiang, K., & Gao, M. (2020). A Closer Look at Wood Buffalo: Factors Related to Resident Wellbeing Based on the CIW Community Wellbeing Survey. A report prepared for FuseSocial Wood Buffalo Society. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and University of Waterloo. 177pp.

Gao, M., & Smale, B. (2020). Factors that can Reduce the Impact of Social Isolation on the Overall Wellbeing of Older Residents in Waterloo Region. A report prepared for Wellbeing Waterloo Region. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and University of Waterloo. 47pp.

Smale, B., Jiang, K., & Gao, M. (2019). A Profile of Wellbeing among Georgian College Students. A report prepared for Georgian College. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and University of Waterloo. 94pp.

Smale, B., & Gao, M. (2019). Wellbeing in Orillia and Area: A Summary of Results from the CIW Community Wellbeing Survey. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and the University of Waterloo. 156pp.

Smale, B., & Gao, M. (2019). Residents of Orillia and Area Comments about Wellbeing: An Addendum to the Orillia and Area Community Wellbeing Survey. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and the University of Waterloo. 36pp.

Smale, B., Gao, M., & Jiang, K. (2019). A Profile of Resident Wellbeing in Wood Buffalo Region: A Summary of Results from the CIW Community Wellbeing Survey. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and the University of Waterloo. 56pp.

Smale, B., & Gao, M. (2019). Wellbeing in Waterloo Region: A Summary of Results from the CIW Community Wellbeing Survey. Technical Report, Region of Waterloo. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and University of Waterloo. 162pp.

Smale, B., & Gao, M. (2019). Factors that can Reduce the Impact of Social Isolation on Overall Wellbeing in Waterloo Region. A report prepared for Wellbeing Waterloo Region. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and University of Waterloo. 44pp.

Smale, B., Jiang, K., & Gao, M. (2019). A Closer Look at CIW Community Wellbeing Survey Results for Bruce and Grey Counties. A report prepared for South East Grey Community Health Centre. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and University of Waterloo. 160pp.

Smale, B., & Gao, M. (2018). Wellbeing in Bruce and Grey Counties: A Summary of Results from the CIW Community Wellbeing Survey. Technical Report for South-East Grey Community Health Centre. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and the University of Waterloo. 142pp.

Smale, B., & Gao, M. (2018). A Profile of Wellbeing in Oxford County with Comparisons to Ontario and Canada. Waterloo, ON: Canadian Index of Wellbeing and University of Waterloo. 54pp.