Uncertain Futures

Susan Arai, Associate Professor, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

Susan’s research interests focus on stress, trauma, health and healing; poverty; and social inclusion and diversity. Current research examines leisure in the process of healing from trauma, and women’s poverty and access to the determinants of health (funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs). Susan’s work emphasizes the intersection of theory, practice and policy in health and human services, and creating transformational change in community. Susan has worked with healthy communities initiatives, social planning councils, community health centres and hospitals in Ontario.

Other publications by Susan Arai include:

Arai, S., Griffin, J., Miatello, A., & Greig, C. (2008). Leisure and recreation involvement in the context of healing from trauma. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 42(1), 37-55.

Arai, S. M., Hutchison, P., Pedlar, A. and Lord, J. (2008). Building trust: An examination of social capital among consumer driven disability organizations in Canada. Disability Studies Quarterly (Canadian Disability Studies Association theme issue).

Arai, S. & Reid, D. (2003). Impacts of a neo-liberal policy shift on citizenship and the voluntary sector: A policy delphi with Social Planning Organizations. Canadian Review of Social Policy, 52, 67-92.

Arai, S. & Pedlar, A. (2003). Moving beyond individualism in leisure theory: A critical analysis of concepts of community and social engagement. Leisure Studies, 22, 1-18

Arai, S. (1996). Benefits of citizen participation in a healthy communities initiative: Linking community development and empowerment. Journal of Applied Recreation Research, 21, 25-44.

To contact Susan Arai:

Mailing address: Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies,
University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1

Email:sarai@uwaterloo.ca