Dr. Pamela Farrell
Positions
Assistant Professor
Werklund School of Education, Specialization, Curriculum and Learning
Contact information
Background
Educational Background
Master of Education (Leadership) Harvard University, Graduate School of Education, 2026
Doctor of Education (Educational Research) University of Calgary, 2023
Master of Education (Special Education) University of Southern Queensland, Australia, 2009
Bachelor of Education York University, Canada, 2007
Bachelor (Educational Studies) University of Southern Queensland, Australia, 2006
Diploma in Adult Education St. Francis Xavier University, 2005
Federal Business Diploma (3 years) Accounting & Fiduciaries, KV Business School, Zürich, Switzerland, 1996
Specialized Teaching Qualifications:
* Special Education (K-12) University of Toronto (OISE), 2007
* Health & Physical Education (7-10) University of Toronto (OISE), 2008
* Guidance & Counselling (K-12) Lakehead University, 2008
* Business Studies (11-12) University of Western Ontario, 2010
* Teaching English as an Additional Language Lakehead University , 2008
Biography
Dr. Pamela Farrell is an Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Calgary, where she integrates her expertise in special education, critical literacy, and inclusive teaching to inspire the next generation of educators. With over 20 years of experience in K-12 education, adult education, leadership, and diplomatic service, Dr. Farrell emphasizes culturally responsive teaching to support and mentor new teachers in their roles. Her courses feature collaborative projects, case studies, and critical discussions that encourage students to build inclusive, justice-focused learning environments.
A distinguished graduate of the University of Calgary, Dr. Farrell earned a Doctorate in Educational Research and received the President’s Award in 2023 for her exceptional academic achievements, leadership, and community contributions. Her doctoral specialization in Language and Literacy informs her critical and anti-oppressive pedagogy. She is also currently pursuing a graduate degree in Educational Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education (expected completion June 2026) to further develop innovative leadership strategies for addressing challenges in higher education.
Before becoming a certified teacher in Canada and Switzerland in 2007, Dr. Farrell's early career began in finance, accounting, and tax within Switzerland’s business sector. After immigrating to Canada, she served as the National Learning and Diversity Coordinator at Ernst & Young in Toronto, where she advanced impactful diversity and inclusion initiatives, shaping her commitment to equity and inclusive education.
Dr. Farrell's previous work as a researcher and project manager at Toronto Metropolitan University, alongside principal investigator Dr. Kilbride, with the CERIS Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement (York University and the University of Toronto) provided her with a unique understanding of the challenges faced by immigrant seniors. This $750,000 research project, conducted in 13 languages and funded by the Government of Canada, was instrumental in shaping strategies for building more inclusive societies.
Since 2019, Dr. Farrell has raised over $2.1 million in grants and donations as the founder and volunteer Executive Director of GROW Community Food Literacy Centre—Canada's first food literacy centre. As an activist scholar, she actively challenges systemic inequalities by amplifying the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups disproportionately affected by food insecurity, including women, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, as well as persons with (dis)abilities. Her scholarly work explores the intersection of sociocultural factors and food literacies. Her activism inspires collective action for a more equitable society, grounded in her belief in education's transformative power to drive change and improve lives.
In 2023, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs appointed Dr. Farrell as honorary consul of Switzerland, with approval from Global Affairs Canada. As the official foreign representative of Switzerland to Alberta, she fosters bilateral relations between Switzerland and Alberta, advancing collaboration in trade, technology, innovation, education, and culture in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
In 2024, Dr. Farrell, as Principal Investigator, launched GROW-on-the-GO, Canada’s first electric mobile market truck. In partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada, this $375,000 initiative serves high-risk populations such as seniors, Indigenous communities, and schools in food deserts. By offering affordable, fresh food, the program aims to improve community health outcomes and reduce risks of chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, addressing food insecurity’s human and economic costs.
Dr. Farrell has also been a key player in advancing food security at UCalgary. She collaborated with the Graduate Students' Assocation and the Provost’s Office to establish the university's first low-cost Food Hub in 2024. Her previous roles within the "Nourish to Flourish" initiative included Co-Chair of the working group, Chair of the GSA Food and Housing Committee, and consultant. In these positions, she conducted research, led surveys, and participated in panels to promote community-driven solutions. This work aligns with UCalgary’s commitment to sustainability, equity, and social justice in fostering a more inclusive and equitable campus community.
In 2025, she joined the Calgary Consular Corps Board of Directors as Governance Officer, collaborating with representatives from over 40 nations to promote diplomacy and international cooperation. Dr. Farrell’s global experience enriches her teaching, equipping future educators with cross-cultural competencies and global awareness.
In the Summer of 2025, Dr. Farrell will assume the Director of Field Experience (On-Campus Program) role at the Werklund School of Education, overseeing field experience for undergraduate education programs in the Calgary area.
Her scholarly contributions are featured in journals, books, and government publications, including a chapter entitled "Food Literacy: It Is What We Do with Food and Why We Do It" (University of Toronto Press) and the forthcoming Elgar Encyclopedia of Food and Society. She has also contributed forewords, podcasts, TV news segments, and local, national, and international interviews, amplifying her impact on food literacy, education, social justice and diplomacy.
Research
Areas of Research
- Food Literacy Education
- Special Education and Inclusive Practices
- Community-based Interventions to Food Insecurity
- Pre-Service Teacher Education
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Education
- Educational Leadership (Higher Education)
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 465 | Field Experience II | Winter 2025 |
| EDUC456 | Assessment | Winter 2025 |
| EDUC 440 | Field Experience | Fall 2024 |
| EDUC 430 | Pragmatics of Learning and Teaching | Fall 2024 |
| EDUC 420 | Issues in Learning and Teaching | Fall 2024 |
| EDUC 525 | Ethics and Law in Education | Summer 2024 |
| EDUC 445 | Individual Learning: Theories and Applications - ECE/Elementary | Winter 2024 |
| EDUC 445 | Individual Learning: Theories and Applications - Secondary | Winter 2024 |
| EDUC 465 | Field Experience II | Winter 2024 |
| EDUC 565 | Child Development from K-12 | Winter 2024 |
| EDUC 535.02 | Elementary English Language Learners | Fall 2023 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction to Educational Studies | Fall 2023 |
| EDUC 201 | Introduction to Educational Studies | Summer 2023 |
| EDUC 420 | Issues in Learning and Teaching | Fall 2022 |
| EDUC 535.02 | Elementary English Language Learners | Fall 2022 |
Projects
Dr. Farrell is the founder and executive director of GROW, Canada's first community food literacy centre in Niagara Falls, Canada. Her research explores the intersection of sociocultural factors and food literacy, including critical food literacy, food citizenship, and food security. As one of the few scholars investigating food literacy from a socio-cultural lens, her work expands our understanding of how sociocultural influences impact the food literacies of low-income residents living in food deserts, shedding light on the challenges they face in accessing nutritious food.
Her philanthropic and community work focuses on developing interventions that address disparities and promote health equity. Through knowledge translation, Dr. Farrell effectively bridges the gap between research, practice, and policy, working closely with all levels of government and businesses to secure over $2.1 million in grants and donations. Her community work centres around understanding health disparities and social determinants of health (including racism), and promoting education and social equity within the food system. Her work aims to dismantle systems of power that perpetuate inequality by amplifying the voices of historically disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including females, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, and persons with disabilities. To create more inclusive and dignified communities, Dr. Farrell adopts an activist-scholar approach to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, particularly by addressing systemic barriers faced by overrepresented single women-led households disproportionately affected by food insecurity.
Her programs empower and support community members in poverty by offering opportunities to learn and develop essential food literacy skills while seeking to dismantle systems of power that perpetuate inequality. As Niagara’s only low-cost, heavily subsidized year-round market, thousands of individuals have been served, enabling them to put their food literacy skills into action. These impactful initiatives have reached over 35,000 service points since 2020, demonstrating their broad reach and community need. Her work has garnered praise from academics, food security experts, and chronic disease prevention specialists in Public Health, serving as a successful community-based prevention model for combating food insecurity and chronic health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Farrell's research, including her forthcoming publication in the Encyclopedia of Food and Society, challenges the traditional and narrow definitions of food literacy. She argues for a broader understanding of food literacy as a social practice grounded in literacy studies, highlighting the historical, cultural, social, and contextual nature of food literacy education and practices. By considering these factors, Dr. Farrell’s work is inclusive and enhances our comprehension of critical food literacy and practices, addressing the contextual and sociocultural aspects that shape an individual’s food literacy.
For more information on GROW, please watch this two-minute video. Pam Farrell: GROW Community Food Literacy Centre | Women of Worth - YouTube
Dr. Pam Farrell currently serves as the Hon. Consul of Switzerland for the province of Alberta. Her appointment was approved by The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Bern and Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Dr. Farrell's consular duties encompass a wide range of responsibilities primarily focused on fostering strong diplomatic relations and enhancing bilateral ties, with specific attention to trade, technology, innovation, tourism, science, education, and culture between Switzerland and Alberta.
One of her key focus areas is collaborating with educational institutions to foster learning, growth and innovation that will strengthen partnerships between Swiss universities and academic institutions in Alberta. Dr. Farrell is dedicated to promoting and building upon existing agreements and facilitating collaborations in international research and knowledge exchange. Through these efforts, she seeks to foster cross-cultural and interdisciplinary interactions, aiming to enhance the global reputation and internationalization efforts of participating academic institutions.
As the official representative of Switzerland in Alberta, she plays a crucial role in promoting and supporting Swiss interests within the province. Additionally, Dr. Farrell extends emergency consular support on a bilateral basis to citizens of Liechtenstein who may require assistance.
Supported by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver, the consulate in Calgary actively promotes and seeks opportunities to expand existing bilateral agreements. Their efforts extend beyond academic and scientific collaborations to encompass various sectors, including business, agriculture, and other areas of mutual interest. The ultimate goal is to foster a productive and cooperative relationship between Switzerland and Alberta, facilitating growth and development in both regions through enhanced cooperation and exchange of ideas.
The project aims to conduct an environmental investigation of food-housing security at UCalgary in collaboration with the GSA Food-Housing Working Group and Nourish2Flourish Working Group. The investigation will assess students' experience with housing in Calgary, considering rental rates, availability, and quality's impact on food security levels. It will also examine students' food environment, including access to food charity programs and food literacies. The collected data will be used to quantify student budgets, assess housing quality, understand food literacy practices, and identify correlations between housing situations and food security rates. The research will take place over the 2023 Summer and Fall semesters, with data analysis and dissemination of information to stakeholders following the survey. The goal is to equip the working groups with data to respond strategically to rising rates of insecurities faced by UCalgary students.
GROW-on-the-GO is Canada's first electric mobile market truck, an innovative program designed to serve high-risk populations, including seniors, Indigenous communities, and elementary schools. This initiative, part of the GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, aims to improve health outcomes and reduce chronic disease risks among low-income individuals managing conditions like Type 2 diabetes. Following extensive geographic mapping and planning, the mobile market truck enhances access to fresh, nutritious food through low-cost markets and offers subsidized options for low-income communities. By ensuring that groceries, fresh fruits, and vegetables remain accessible and affordable, this program serves as a preventative model that significantly impacts community health, helping to prevent illnesses that could otherwise incur substantial human and economic costs.
Awards
- Distinguished Graduate Speaker, University of Calgary. 2024
- Top 25 Women of Influence, Women of Influence+. 2024
- President's Award for Excellence, University of Calgary. 2023
- Alumni Award of Excellence - Distinguished Alumna , St. Francis Xavier University. 2023
- Volunteer Excellence Award, University of Calgary, Graduate Students' Association. 2023
- Alumnus of the Year Award in Education , University of Southern Queensland. 2022
- Graduate Sustainability Award for leading sustainability in communities ($1,500), University of Calgary. 2022
- L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth - National Award Program ($10,000), L’Oréal Paris. 2022
- RBC Top 75 Canadian Immigrant Awards , Canadian Immigrant. 2022
- Volunteer Award, City of Niagara Falls, Ontario. 2022
Publications
- Getting Your Work Published: Advice for New and Developing Scholars. Campbell, H., Farrell, P., Morrison, L, & Raza, K.. Canadian Journal for New Scholars in Education. 44-52. (2022)
- Conceptualizing Food Literacy: A Literature Review. Farrell, P. Canadian Journal for New Scholars in Education. 126-134. (2022)
- Food Literacy as a Social Practice (forthcoming). Farrell, P.. The Elgar Encyclopedia of Food and Society. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. .
- Food Literacy: It is what we do with food and why we do it. In J. Sumner (Ed.). Food Literacy (in press). Farrell, P.. Toronto University Press.
- Foreword. In Strategic Cooking: Not a Cookbook (in press). Farrell, P.. Andy Fairchild Publishing, Inc. . pp. xi-xv.
- Speaking with Immigrant Seniors and Families who Sponsored a Senior. Kilbride et al.. Government of Canada. (2011)
More Information
Conferences
Farrell, P. (2023, May 31). Food Literacy as a Social Practice. Canadian Association for Food Studies. Congress 2023 of the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Farrell, P. (2023, February 11). Food Literacy as a Social Practice. Peer Beyond Graduate Research Conference. University of Calgary.
Farrell, P. (2021, March 11). You Eat What You Are: Sociocultural Factors That Influence and Inform Food Literacies [Conference Session]. Tapestries of Learning Symposium, University of Calgary.
Farrell, P. (2010, March 8-11). Speaking with Immigrant Seniors and Their Families [Conference Session]. Immigrant Settlement and Adaption Program Conference, Toronto, ON, Canada. Government of Canada- Immigration and Citizenship Canada.
Committee Involvement
Co-Chair "Nourish to Flourish"
Support increased access to nutritious food and food literacy programming and work reduce stigma and shame associated with food insecurity within our student community.
Past Chair Food Security/Housing Working Group Graduate Students’ Association
Explore and investigate the complex issues of food-housing (in)security as experienced by students at the University of Calgary. Identify short and/or long-term supports towards food-housing security on campus.
Member of the Food Studies Interdisciplinary Research Group
A CIH Working Group which aims to build and foster a network of food studies scholars at the University of Calgary from diverse disciplines across the campus: anthropology, communications, geography, history, planning, public health and education.
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