Church Point (NS), July 22, 2019– Caroline Fitzpatrick, Assistant Professor in the Social Sciences Department at Université Sainte-Anne and affiliate researcher at Concordia University’s PERFORM Centre has received a grant from Research Nova Scotia. This funding, which represents $150,000 over 3 years, will allow her to conduct research on the effects of screen time on preschool-aged children in Nova Scotia.
“Young children are spending more and more time in front of screens, which include televisions, mobile tablets and smartphones. It is therefore important that we better understand their influence on children and their families.”
- Caroline Fitzpatrick, Assistant Professor in the Social Sciences Department at Université Sainte-Anne and affiliate researcher at Concordia University’s PERFORM Centre.
This project will benefit from the collaboration of other researchers and partners, namely Elizabeth Harvey, Professor in the Department of Education at Université Sainte-Anne, Rachel Barr, Professor of psychology at Georgetown University, and Mark Asbridge, Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University.
The Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) and La Pirouette, a family resource and service centre, are also partners. Lisa Thimot, Provincial Coordinator of La Pirouette, affirms that the proposed research “is of great interest to us given our mission to contribute to the quality of life of our communities, provide resources to Acadian, Francophone, and bilingual families across Nova Scotia, and enrich the lives of young children and their families.”
Professor Fitzpatrick adds that this funding will also have “a positive impact on students since research assistant positions will be available at both the undergraduate and graduate-levels, at the Halifax and Church Point campuses.”
Opportunities such as these help students build hands-on research skills while engaging in experiential learning.
About Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne, the only French language post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia, offers university and college-level courses as well as a French immersion program and customized training in French as a second language. Recognized for its excellent programs as well as its unique and exceptional living environment, Sainte-Anne offers experiential learning opportunities that promote student engagement and success, and an atmosphere which encourages a culture of excellence in research and development. Solidly established in its community, Université Sainte-Anne is a partner of choice for all those who wish to strengthen the vitality of the regions surrounding its 5 campuses as well as all of Acadie throughout Nova Scotia.
For more information
Rachelle LeBlanc, Director of Communications and Marketing
Université Sainte-Anne
Tel.: 902-769-2114 Extension 7222
Email: