Headshot for Laura St.John

Laura St. John

PhD
Pronouns: She/Her

Positions

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Kinesiology

Contact information

Location

Office: KNB 414

For media enquiries, contact

Stacy McGuire, manager of marketing and communications for Faculty of Kinesiology: stacy.mcguire@ucalgary.ca

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Research partners

Background

Biography

Dr. Laura St. John is an assistant professor, Azrieli Accelerator Professorship in Adapted Exercise Science for Neurodiverse Populations, and began a position with the Faculty of Kinesiology on Nov. 1, 2023. 

Dr. St. John’s research focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating physical literacy interventions for neurodiverse populations. She is particularly interested in physical literacy and physical activity among neurodiverse women and girls, as well as the interplay of these factors in relation to reproductive health in neurodiverse women

Prior to joining the Faculty, Dr. St. John was a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, having previously completed her PhD at the University of Toronto in Exercise Science.

Outside of her research, Dr. St. John has coached for Special Olympics and has been an indoor and beach volleyball coach. She is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of all individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions through her research, community work, and ongoing advocacy efforts.

Research

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Publications

  • 'More together than apart': The evaluation of a virtual course to improve mental health and well-being of adults with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. St John, L., Volpe, T., Jiwa MI., Durbin, A., Safar, Y., Formuli, F., Thakur, A., Lake, J., & Lunsky, Y. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. (2022)
  • The experiences and attitudes of family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at different timepoints in the COVID-19 pandemic. Tarzi, G., Mendoza, G., Lunsky, Y., & St.John, L. Disability and Health Journal. (2023)
  • A longitudinal examination of enjoyment of physical education in children with developmental coordination disorder through a physical literacy lens. St John, L., Dudley, D., & Cairney, J. Prospects. (2020)
  • A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Examining the Effect of Exercise on Individuals With Intellectual Disability. St John, L., Borschneck, G., & Cairney, J.. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. (2020)