Meet Nicole Etherington, PhD candidate
Nicole is the recipient of three Ontario Graduate Scholarships (2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16), an Ontario Women's Health Scholars Award in 2013-14 and recently received an IGH Award for Excellence in Gender, Sex and Health Research from the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health.
The PhD program in Sociology was a perfect fit in terms of my research interests and the strengths of the faculty. My supervisor has been instrumental to my personal and professional growth, and I have also received valuable guidance from many other faculty members. The administrative staff are incredible, and I also love the campus and its many opportunities and resources.
Supervisor: Dr. Andrea Wilson
Area of research: Gender and Health
Thesis: Gender and Health over the Life Course: Temporal, Contextual, and Intersectional Considerations
What influenced your research path?
I fell in love with research as a result of the quantitative methods course I took in my third year of undergrad. My research interests continue to be shaped by graduate courses I took, specifically Aging & Health and Sociology of the Life Course as well as my passion for women’s health and well-being.
Why did you choose Western for your studies?
Western has great resources and supports available for graduate students. My research interests were also a great fit with the strengths of the Sociology department here, and my supervisor and I were the perfect match and have been an amazing team. I also really enjoy living in London.
What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
Be open-minded, take advantage of any opportunities that come along, know that your plans might change… and invest in a really good day-planner!
Where’s your favourite place on campus to work/study/research? Why?
I love my office in the Department of Sociology because it is in an area with fellow PhD students and has a great set-up in terms of space, technology, desks, filing cabinets, etc.
What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
The tremendous support I have received from my supervisor and the Sociology department as a whole.
What is your "dream" career?
It’s still a toss up between academia and policy, but whichever route I take, I want to be doing impactful research that can be applied in various ways to make a real difference in the world.
What idea, suggestion, or comment would you like to share with the Western graduate community?
Explore your options and never limit yourself. Also – this is a unique time in your life and should be enjoyed and celebrated – don’t let the stress we sometimes feel get in the way of fun!
Have you worked as a TA or RA? If so, how did this benefit your academic career?
I have worked as both and have developed my teaching and research skills as a result. I’ve learned a lot about interacting with students, developing lesson plans, working on large scale research projects, collaboration, organization, etc.
Do you engage in volunteer activities? If yes, what activities?
Yes, my dogs are registered therapy dogs and we visit seniors’ homes.
What are you most passionate about?
Dogs (especially rescues), music, my niece, soccer, social change – especially working to end gender-based violence.
Nicole is working as a Research Associate with the Learning Network branch of The Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Western where she is involved in consultation work on gender-based violence (GBV) initiatives and prevention efforts, knowledge exchange and translation, and research on intersectionality and GBV. She is currently working on several large projects, including a large report on prevention and intervention across the life course for the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as evaluation of the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses training program for VAW workers.
Nicole has nine publications with one forthcoming:
Forthcoming Willson, A.E. & Etherington, N. “Poverty, Income, and Wealth across the Life Course.” In M. Harrington Meyer & E. Daniele (Eds.), Gerontology: Changes, Challenges, and Solutions (Volume 1).
2016 Etherington, N. & Baker, L. From “Buzzword” to Best Practice: Applying Intersectionality to Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse.DOI: 10.1177/1524838016631128
2016 Etherington, N. “Re-examining Gender Differences in Self-Rated Health: The Importance of Cohort.” Journal of Women & Aging 29(6). DOI 10.1080/08952841.2016.1108737
2016 Etherington, N., Willson, A., Shuey, K. “Childhood Economic Hardship and Chronic Disease Onset in Midlife: A Gendered Process of Cumulative Disadvantage?” Longitudinal and Life Course Studies 7(1): 3-24.
2015 Etherington, N., McDougall, J., Dewit, D., & Wright, V. “Maternal Factors and the Emotional and Behavioural Outcomes of Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions.” Disability & Rehabilitation DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1099055
2015 Baldwin, P., Evans, J., Etherington, N., Nichols, M., Wright, V., & McDougall, J. “A Qualitative Descriptive Study: Youth with Disabilities Talk about Spirituality.” The Qualitative Report 20(7): 941-958.
2015 Adams, T. L. & Etherington, N. “The Emergence of Naturopathy in Two Canadian provinces: British Columbia and Ontario 1920-1950.” Histoire sociale/ Social History 47(96): 215-244. DOI:10.1353/his.2015.0010
2015 Etherington, N. “Race, Gender, and the Resources that Matter: An Investigation of Intersectionality and Health.” Women & Health 55(7): 754-777.
2015 McDougall, J., Baldwin, P., Evans, J., Nichols, M., Etherington, N., & Wright, V. “Quality of Life and Self-Determination: Youth with Chronic Health Conditions Make the Connection.” Applied Research in Quality of Life. Early online. DOI: 10.1007/s11482-014-9382-7
2013 Etherington, N. “Widening Participation through Alternative Public Schools: A Canadian Example.” Sociological Research Online 18(2):12.
