(WOLFVILLE, January 12, 2022) – Acadia University’s newest Tier II Canada Research Chair in Healthy Inclusive Communities is Dr. Emily Bremer, Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology.

Dr. Bremer’s appointment is part of the Canada Research Chairs Program  $550-million investment in new and renewed Chairs across Canada to attract global talent and increase diversity.

“Dr. Bremer’s CRC appointment at Acadia is both exciting and timely, and addresses a strategic priority to further build excellence in research and training in the area of community health and wellness,” said Dr. Anna Redden, Associate Vice-President of Research and Dean of Graduate Studies.

As a Canada Research Chair, Dr. Bremer will establish an interdisciplinary and community-engaged program of research to advance knowledge on physical activity, physical literacy, and childhood disability. The goal is to increase physical activity within the general population, with emphasis on positively influencing the physical, mental, and cognitive health outcomes in children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Her program of research will support training and position Acadia as a leader in establishing healthy and inclusive communities. The research is expected to have an impact locally, nationally, and internationally.

Dr. Bremer comes to Acadia from the University of Toronto, where she held a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) postdoctoral fellowship within the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education.

Recognized internationally as an outstanding early career researcher, Dr. Bremer has been awarded many fellowships, grants, and awards, including most recently an SSHRC Insight Development Grant. She has also collaborated with several community, sport, and government organizations on issues including daily physical activity breaks, afterschool programming, and concussion awareness.

As she begins her academic career at Acadia, Dr. Bremer said she is excited to have the opportunity to build on the exceptional work already happening in Kinesiology and across campus to promote healthy inclusive communities. She is looking forward to working with longstanding programs such as the Acadia Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.), which provides children and young adults living with disabilities an opportunity to participate in a range of fun and unique physical activity experiences guided by Acadia student-volunteers.

“It is programs such as S.M.I.L.E. that set Acadia apart as a leader in student engagement and community involvement,” Dr. Bremer said. “I am excited to build on this legacy through new and existing research partnerships as a Canada Research Chair.”

Dr. Bremer joins Acadia’s two current CRCs – Dr. Mark Mallory, Tier I in Coastal Ecosystem Resilience and Connectivity, and Dr. Lesley Frank, Tier II in Food, Health and Social Justice.

For more information, read the Government of Canada's Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada news release.

About the Canada Research Chairs Program

The Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) invests approximately $295 million every year to attract and retain a diverse cadre of world-class researchers. Its purpose is to reinforce academic research and training excellence in Canadian postsecondary institutions.

Chairholders aim to achieve research excellence in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences. They improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada’s international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people through student supervision, teaching, and the coordination of other researchers' work.

CRCP is a tri-agency initiative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

About Acadia University

Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s premier post-secondary institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes, and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. Acadia also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training, and other university extension programs through Open Acadia.

For more information, please contact:

Sherri Turner
Director, University Communications
Office of the President
Acadia University
sherri.turner@acadiau.ca