Dr. Ulises Charles Rodriguez
Positions
Postdoctoral Associate
Community Health Sciences
Contact information
Web presence
Background
Educational Background
PhD Population Studies in Health, University of Lethbridge, 2023
Specialist Mental Health and Psychological Interventions on Immigrants, Minorities and the Socially Excluded, Universitat de Barcelona, 2017
MA Transpersonal Psychology, Sofia University, 2014
BA International Studies, Universidad de Guadalajara, 2013
Biography
Dr. Charles-Rodriguez completed his PhD in Population Studies in Health at the University of Lethbridge before joining the University of Calgary. His postdoctoral research focuses on integrating equity, diversity, and inclusivity into research design and governance. He is particularly involved in assessing a new inclusive governance model at the Faculty of Medicine and applying its principles to One Child Every Child, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming child health research in Canada.
Dr. Charles-Rodriguez has a multidisciplinary background, holding an undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of Guadalajara, a Master of Arts in Psychology, and a University Expert degree in mental health, cultural processes, and psychological interventions with immigrants, minorities, and the socially excluded from the Universitat de Barcelona. His professional experience includes roles as a social worker, counselor, and advocate, with a focus on community and nature-based approaches to health promotion for various vulnerable and equity-deserving communities, such as refugees, youth, individuals experiencing homelessness, substance users, as well as food banks, environmental and ethnic associations.
His doctoral research explored and implemented nature-based approaches to health promotion among immigrants and refugees. He formed a coalition of community leaders and organizations to create community garden spaces for newly arrived refugees. His findings suggest that being in nature enhances immigrants’ sense of place, mental health, and social integration. Moreover, he identified that the ability to advocate for their interests is a crucial but often overlooked factor in the successful integration of immigrants into their new country.
Awards
- 2024-2025 Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Calgary. 2024
- Prentice Graduate Research Fellowship, The Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy. 2021
More Information
Selected publications
Charles-Rodriguez, U., Ngwezi, P. D., Damag, S., Johnson, N., Bharwani, A., Ladha, T., & Salami, N. (submitted). Uncovering systemic barriers related to equity, diversity, and inclusion in child health research: A scoping review. BMJ Global.
Pierson, A., Charles-Rodriguez, U., Kwaghbo, N., Brown, L. M., & Larouche, R. (submitted). "We take a risk when we allow independent mobility, but we take a risk when we don't": Social-ecological factors associated with children's independent mobility in Southern Alberta, Canada. Health & Place.
Charles-Rodriguez, U., & Larouche, R. (2024). Being “outdoors” in a new country: Associations between immigrant characteristics, outdoor recreation activities, and settlement satisfaction in Canada. Leisure Studies, 1(15). https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2024.2328087
Larouche, R., Kleinfeld, M., Charles Rodriguez, U., Hatten, C., Hecker, V., Scott, D. R., Brown, L. M., Onyeso, O. K., Sadia, F., & Shimamura, H. (2022). Determinants of outdoor time in children and youth: A systematic review of longitudinal and intervention studies. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1328). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021328
Charles Rodriguez, U., Khatiwada, K., Aborawi, A., Shahi, A., Koso, S., Prociw, S., Sanford, C., & Larouche, R. (2023). Hands-on-ground in a new country: A community-based participatory evaluation with immigrant communities in Southern Alberta. Global Health Promotion, 30(4), 25-34. https://doi.org/10.1177/17579759231176293
Charles Rodriguez, U., Venegas de la Torre, M. D. L. P., Hecker, V., et al. (2022). The relationship between nature and immigrants’ integration, wellbeing, and physical activity: A scoping review. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-022-01339-3
Larouche, R., Kleinfeld, M., Charles Rodriguez, U., Hatten, C., Hecker, V., Scott, D. R., & Shimamura, H. (2022). Determinants of outdoor time in children and youth: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. Pediatric Exercise Science, 34(Suppl.), 14-15.
Larouche, R., Charles Rodriguez, U., Nayakarathna, R., & Scott, D. (2020). Effect of major life events on travel behaviours: A scoping review. Sustainability, 12(24). DOI: 10.3390/su122410392
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