Serena McDiarmid is a fourth-year doctoral candidate and Vanier Scholar with the Social Development Lab. Serena graduated with a BSc. Hons. in Health Studies & Gerontology from UW, a BEd. from Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Education, and a MASc in Developmental & Communication Science from the UW. Serena’s research focusses on children’s and youth’s sense of belonging in spaces like their schools and communities. Serena is answering questions like: How do we measure belonging? How can schools and community organizations support or improve their members’ sense of belonging? And, for young people, can wellbeing be improved through changes in their sense of belonging?
Serena emphasizes community-based research and is currently working with Waterloo Region’s Children and Youth Planning Table on the “Measurement for Change” project. Previously, Serena worked on the European Union’s Horizon 2020 “RefugeeWellSchool” project.
Outside research, Serena is engaged in mentoring and teaching, often at Renison University College or with the University of Waterloo School of Psychology, and serves on the Board of Directors at Emmanuel Early Learning & Care.