June 22, 2018
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – There is currently much public debate over migrant children and families in the United States, as well as in Canada. Wilfrid Laurier University has a number of experts able to comment on the detention of migrant children and families, the effects of separating migrant children from their parents, and related issues.

Kate Rossiter, associate professor in the Department of Health Studies, is an expert on institutionalization and institutional histories, as well as the social determinants of health. She is available for comment on the incarceration and institutionalization of children and families, including the migrant children separated from their families in the United States and the new policy of family detention. She has co-written a book, which will be published in August, that documents how and why violence is a ubiquitous trait of institutions designed to care for vulnerable people. Contact: krossiter@wlu.ca or 519.756.8228 x5793.

Bree Akesson, assistant professor of social work and a research associate with Laurier’s International Migration Research Centre, is an expert on war-affected and refugee children and families. She is available for comment on migrant family issues in a variety of international contexts, including current events in the United States. Contact: bakesson@wlu.ca or 519.756.8228 x5345. Read more about her work.

Janet McLaughlin, associate professor in the Department of Health Studies and the Social Justice and Community Engagement master’s program, as well as a research associate with Laurier’s International Migration Research Centre, is an expert in transnational migration and migrant workers’ health. She is available for comment on the impacts of separation on migrant families. Contact: jmclaughlin@wlu.ca.