2022 AMTD Scholar: Jenna Gilchrist (she/her)

Faculty of Arts, Department of Psychology

Jenna Gilchrist Country of origin: Canada

Academic degrees and Institutions:

BA/MA (Brock University)
PhD (University of Toronto)

Describe your work and how it embodies the nature of the AMTD postdoctoral program.

My research sets out to examine adaptation among first-year students at the University of Waterloo. Providing a better understanding of successful adaptation to postsecondary life is key to Canada’s future competitiveness on both a local and global stage. This work is equally critical from an equity perspective as certain segments of the population have greater difficulties adapting relative to others. Findings from my research can inform programs and policies that can be tailored to better support those in need to facilitate a sustainable and diverse community at UW. As a result, this research can disrupt historical patterns of inequities evident in higher education.

What are some activities you hope to accomplish during your postdoctoral appointment at University of Waterloo?

Publish findings of my research in premier journals
Make a real-world impact by integrating the findings of my research into UW policy and support services
Establish cross-disciplinary collaborations with other AMTD scholars

Have you been the recipient of any other major or donor-funded awards?

SSHRC postdoctoral fellowship
SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS-Doctoral)
SSHRC - Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement
SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS - Masters)

Do you have any relevant academic projects you would like to share?

My program of research examines emotions and emotion regulation among youth. Examining emotions among youth is complicated by the presence of multiple, co-occurring processes reflecting long-term change (e.g., developmental processes) and short-term variability (e.g., day-to-day variability). To accommodate this complexity, my research aims to characterize emotions in the daily lives of youth and the implications for health and well-being by employing longitudinal designs and advanced statistical analyses.

As an AMTD postdoctoral fellow, I am examining affective adaptation during the transition to university. Through the information that emotions provide, we can better understand how students adapt during this critical juncture. At present, our understanding of students’ adaptation is represented by static, often cross-sectional approaches that do not capture the dynamic nature of this transitional period, thus limiting our understanding of how this process unfolds in daily life, what resources may facilitate adaptation, and implications for student health, well-being and academic retention. Findings from this research can inform programs and policies to better support students' adaptation to university life.

Why did you choose the University of Waterloo?

My program of research cuts across a number of different disciplines. The University of Waterloo is an ideal fit for me because it values innovation across disciplinary lines. It provides the necessary freedom and supports to conduct transformative work.

What are you most looking forward to or currently enjoying about the University of Waterloo?

Networking and collaborating with other AMTD Scholars and UW postdoctoral fellows.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I have a one-year-old daughter so spare time is few and far between. When I can, I enjoy playing tennis, golfing, and doing spin classes.