Dr. Georgina Dimitropoulos
Affiliations
Professor
Faculty of Social Work, Calgary Campus
UCalgary Research Excellence Chair in Transdisciplinary System-Level Interventions for Equitable and Accessible Youth Mental Health Services
Vice President Research Office
Coordinator, Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE)
Faculty of Social Work, Calgary Campus
Research Lead
Calgary Eating Disorders Program
Research Scientist - Kickstand-Provincial Integrated Youth Service
~ Other ~
Co-Director of Research - KINDEX National Child and Youth Advocacy Research Knowledge Centre
~ Other ~
Co-Research Lead - Pathways to Prevention: A Centre for Childhood Trauma at Hull Services
~ Other ~
Full Member
Hotchkiss Brain Institute
Full Member
Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education
Full Member
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute
Full Member
O'Brien Institute for Public Health
Contact information
Phone number
Office: 403-220-7332
Location
Office: MacKimmie Tower (MT) 413
For media enquiries, contact
Don McSwiney
Office: +1.403.220.7083
Email: dmcswine@ucalgary.ca
Twitter: @UCalgary_FSW
Preferred method of communication
E-mail: gdimit@ucalgary.ca
Background
Credentials
Registered Social Worker (RSW), Alberta College of Social Workers, 2015
Educational Background
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Toronto, 2007
Master of Social Work (MSW), McMaster University, 1994
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Toronto Metropolitan University, 1992
Biography
Dr. Georgina (Gina) Dimitropoulos, PhD, MSW, RSW, FAED, is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary, cross appointed with the Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, and the inaugural University of Calgary Research Excellence Chair in Transdisciplinary System-Level Interventions for Equitable and Accessible Youth Mental Health Services. Her research and scholarship is driven by a deep commitment to transforming how youth and families access, experience, and benefit from mental health care by addressing the complex systems that influence service delivery and outcomes. Through her memberships and strong affiliations with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, she brings together diverse disciplines and sectors to advance innovative, evidence-informed approaches to youth mental health within Alberta and beyond.
At the center of Dr. Gina Dimitropoulos' scholarly work is a commitment to building more equitable and responsive systems of care that reflect the needs and experiences of the communities they serve. Her transdisciplinary research program bridges clinical practice, policy, and community-based approaches, with a particular focus on Integrated Youth Services (IYS), eating disorder care, child and youth advocacy research, peer support services, transitions in care, mental health care systems, supports for youth in post-secondary settings, and related areas of research. Her scholarly work reflects a sustained commitment to transdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, and ensuring that research leads to meaningful improvements for the communities and populations it serves. Through meaningful partnerships with practitioners, policymakers, and researchers nationally and internationally, she works to advance innovative approaches that bridge evidence and practice to strengthen youth mental health services and related systems of care.
EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS
- Assistant Editor, Journal of Treatment and Prevention
- Assistant Editor, Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Assistant Editor, Journal of Eating Disorders
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
Research
Areas of Research
- Integrated Youth Services (IYS)
- Eating Disorders
- Peer Support
- Child Maltreatment & Sexual Abuse Imagery
- Digital Mental Health
- Co-Design & Engagement
- Transitions in Care
- Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research
- Measurement-Based Care
- School Mental Health
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility
- Health Equity & Systems Transformation
- Social Determinants of Health
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 553.08 | Social Work in Healthcare | Fall 2018 |
| SOWK 679.82 | Social Work in Healthcare | Winter 2018 |
| SOWK 553.08 | Social Work in Healthcare | Fall 2017 |
| SOWK 679.82 | Social Work in Healthcare | Winter 2017 |
| SOWK 679.82 | Social Work in Healthcare | Fall 2016 |
| SOWK 553.08 | Social Work in Healthcare | Winter 2016 |
| SOWK 696 | Advanced Practicum | Winter 2016 |
| SOWK 696 | Advanced Practicum | Fall 2015 |
| SOWK 659 | Evidence & Clinical Practice | Fall 2015 |
Projects
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Source: Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
Duration: 2026-2033
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Funding Source: Public Health Agency of Canada
Duration: 2026-2030
Role: Nominated Principal Applicant
Funding Source: Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
Duration: 2026-2028
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Source: Health Canada
Duration: 2026-2027
Role: Co-Applicant
Funding Source: Canadian Institute of Health Research
Duration: 2025-2030
Role: Principal Applicant
Funding Source: Canadian Institute of Health Research
Duration: 2025-2029
Role: Nominated Principal Applicant
Funding Source: Canadian Institute of Health Research
Duration: 2025-2029
Role: Principal Applicant
Funding Source: Canadian Institute of Health Research
Duration: 2024-2029
Role: Principal Applicant
Funding Source: Canadian Institute of Health Research
Duration: 2024-2028
Role: Principal Applicant
Funding Source: The Canadian Precision Health Initiative
Duration: 2024-2028
Role: Nominated Principal Applicant
Funding Source: Canadian Institute of Health Research
Duration: 2022-2027
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Funding Source: Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute
Duration: 2021-2026
Awards
- Killam Annual Professor Award (2026), University of Calgary.
- Research Excellence Award (2025), O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary.
- Killam Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Award (2024), University of Calgary.
- College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists (2024), Royal Society of Canada.
- Child Abuse Prevention Inspiration Award (2022), Alberta Community and Social Services.
- Top-Scoring Paper Abstract Award (2022), Academy of Eating Disorders.
- Teaching Award for Graduate Supervision (2021), University of Calgary.
- Peak Scholar COVID-19 Innovation Excellence Award (2020), University of Calgary.
- Fellow (2020), Academy for Eating Disorders.
- Faculty of Social Work Student Supervision, Mentorship and Support Teaching Excellence Award (2019), University of Calgary.
- Faculty of Social Work Student Supervision, Mentorship and Support Teaching Excellence Award (2016), University of Calgary.
Publications
- Family-based treatment for transition age youth with anorexia nervosa. Dimitropoulos, G., Le Grange, D., Lock, J., & Anderson, K. Routledge. (2026)
- The impact of a patient navigator on readiness assessment scores in youth transitioning to adult health care in Alberta. Patton, M., Punjwani, Z., Mackie, A., Patten, S. B., San Martin-Feeney, D., Anthony, A., & Dimitropoulos, G.. Health Care Transitions. 1-8. (2026)
- A co-design protocol embedded in a rapid learning health system to improve digital measurement-based care within emerging adult mental health care pathways. Henry, G., Habina, C., Stamp, L., Fersovitch, M., Moskovic, K., Norman, L., Pintson, K., Potestio, M., Hews-Girard, J., LaMonica, H. M., Iorfino, F., Arnold, P. D. & Dimitropoulos, G. . JMIR Preprints. 1-27. (2026)
- Balancing support with sustainability: Bridging the gap between first-level leadership vision and practice in youth digital mental health. Henry, G., Hews-Girard, J., Bright, K., Barker, M., Bassi, E. M., Moskovic, K., Fersovitch, M., Stamp, L., Gondziola, J., Iorfino, F., LaMonica, H., Hickie, I., & Dimitropoulos, G.. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1-17. (2026)
- Using digital mental health and measurement-based care with youth experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A qualitative study of clinician barriers and facilitators. Norman, L., Bright, K., Pintson, K., Hews-Girard, J., D’Silva, A., Habina, C., Pricop, D. F., Henry, G., Daniel, S., Volcko, L., Greer, K., Gondziola, J., Stamp, L., Fersovitch, M., Moskovic, K., Bradley, J., LaMonica, H. M., Hickie, I., Iorfino, F., … Dimitropoulos, G.. JMIR Human Factors. 1-22. (2026)
- Generating priorities in eating disorder research and service provision: Recommendations from Canadian young adults and caregivers. Nicula, M., Singh, M., Lee, J., Habina, C., Bekai, N., Preskow, W., Couturier, J., & Dimitropoulos, G.. Journal of the Canadian Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 167-178. (2026)
- Measuring impact of Child and Youth Advocacy Centres: Co-developing a theory of change and minimum dataset for Alberta Child and Youth Advocacy Centres. Parker, N. J., Cullen, O., Elenko, J., McAlpine, J., & Dimitropoulos, G.. Child Protection and Practice. 1-10. (2025)
- 'Multi-stressed': A qualitative study exploring the impact of the social determinants of health on access to digital mental health for youth and young adults in Alberta. Norman, L., Bright, K., Bassi, E. M., Barker, M., Hews-Girard, J., Pintson, K., Daniel, S., Volcko, L., Sidhu, S., Greer, K., Gondziola, J., Stamp, L., Bradley, J., Fersovitch, M., Moskovic, K., LaMonica, H. M., Hickie, I., Iorfino, F., & Dimitropoulos, G. . Digital Health. 11-20. (2025)
- Prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders among adolescents experiencing homelessness: A systematic review. Borkenhagen, D., Messier, G., Masrani, T., Gunn, E., Bahji, A., Barry, R., Seitz, D., Patten, S. B., & Dimitropoulos, G.. Community Mental Health Journal. 1-9. (2025)
- Recent advances and future directions in eating disorder treatments for emerging adults. Nicula, M., Austin, A., Couturier, J., & Dimitropoulos, G.. Current psychiatry reports. 553-562. (2025)
- Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: A Canadian guideline. Dimitropoulos, G., Nicula, M., Krishnapillai, A., Austin, A., Singh, M., Lee, J., Webb, C., Scott, S., Vieira de Almeida, A. C., Bergmann, C., Vander Steen, H., Kimber, M., Mushquash, C., Norman, L., Sauerwein, J., Keshen A., Boachie, A., Toulany, A., Levinson, A., ... Couturier, J.. Journal of Eating Disorders. 1-27. (2025)
- Identifying ‘where’ and ‘how’ peer support for youth is integrated into community-based mental health services: A survey study. Hews-Girard, J., Cullen, E., Singh, M., Perry, R., Brill, K., Taylor, N., Munson, M., Barbic, S., Henderson, J., Cronin, S., Harley, M., Salt, V., Parker, N. J., Urichuk, L., Iyer, S., & Dimitropoulos, G. . Community Mental Health Journal. 994–1004. (2025)
- “FBT is for the rich”: A qualitative study examining clinicians’ experiences and perceptions of treatment access and engagement for diverse families in family‐based treatment. Sauerwein, J., Austin, A., Singh, M., Pedram, P., Allan, E., Bruett, L., Eckhardt, S., Forsberg, S., Keery, H., Kimber, M., Pradel, M., Accurso, E. C., Le Grange, D., & Dimitropoulos, G. The International Journal of Eating Disorders. 554–563. (2024)
- Strengthening Canadian child and youth advocacy centres through coordinated research and knowledge sharing: Establishing a Canadian research and knowledge centre. Parker, N., Elenko, J., Cullen, O., Alaggia, R., Bélanger, R., Biener, C., Binford, W., Blake, M., Collin-Vezina, D., Daignault, I., Hews-Girard, J., Kimber, M., Koshan, J., Madigan, S., Ornstein, A., Price, H., Shaffer, C., Zwicker, J., & Dimitropoulos, G.. Child Protection and Practice. 1-19. (2024)
- Examining clinicians’ perceptions and experiences working with diverse families in family‐based treatment: Common adaptations and considerations for treatment engagement. Dimitropoulos, G., Singh, M., Sauerwein, J., Pedram, P., Kimber, M., Pradel, M., Eckhardt, S., Forsberg, S., Keery, H., Allan, E., Bruett, L., & Le Grange, D.. The International Journal of Eating Disorders. 635–647. (2024)
- TransitionED: A protocol for co‐designing and implementing Canadian practice guidelines for transitions for youth with eating disorders. Dimitropoulos, G., Singh, M., Mushquash, C., Kimber, M., Hutt‐MacLeod, D., Moore, E. K., Perri, A., Webb, C., Norman, L., Sauerwein, J., Nicula, M., & Couturier, J.. European Eating Disorders Review. 1-15. (2023)
- A trauma-informed approach to the Unified Protocol for children with exposure to child maltreatment. Gruen, R., Lindenbach, D., Ehrenreich-May, J., Arnold, P., & Dimitropoulos, G.. Springer Nature. (pp. 199-225). (2023)
- Siblings and eating disorders. Piekunka, K., Dimitropoulos, G., Treasure, J., Singh, M., Whitlow, B., & Tan, J.. Springer International Publishing. (pp. 1-19). (2023)
In the News
- Introducing UCalgary’s 2026 Killam Annual Professors. UToday Story. (2026)
- $2.5 million CIHR grant invests in youth-led research to improve health and wellness services. UToday Story. (2025)
- Opinion: Changes needed to protect young sexual abuse victims. Calgary Herald. (2025)
- Gina Dimitropoulos | New RSC College Member | University of Calgary. YouTube. (2024)
- Killam Research and Teaching Awards recognize outstanding mentorship in education. UToday Story. (2024)
- Study examines economic impact of eating disorders in Canada. University of Calgary News. (2024)
- Spotting the signs of disordered eating in youth: Tips for parents and caregivers. The Conversation. (2024)
- Eating disorder cases have spiked during the pandemic. Experts are researching why. CTV News Calgary. (2021)
- Online group therapy program helps students manage anxiety and emotions during COVID-19. Education News Canada. (2020)
- 12 ways to keep your kids safe from sexual encounters online. The Conversation. (2018)
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