Research awards & recognitions

Exercise psychologist Dr. Ryan Rhodes, a professor in our School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, received the 2018 REACH Awards silver medal for his excellence in research.

We know that regular exercise is good for us and reduces the risk of disease, yet many of us still struggle to build physical activity into our daily routine. Why? What will motivate us to get more active? These two basic questions consume the keen mind of exercise psychologist Ryan Rhodes, one of the most published authors worldwide on the disconnect between intention to exercise regularly and actually doing it. In only 17 years at UVic, he’s established a world-class research laboratory, authored a textbook and almost 300 peer-reviewed papers, trained 25 graduate students, and influenced public policy for encouraging us all to live healthier lives.

Dr. Tim Black, Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology and Department Chair in Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, was named a Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) in 2017.

Fellows guide the scientific portfolio of the institute and support research across Canada for the health and well-being of current and former serving members and their families.

Black has worked with the Canadian military and veteran community as a clinician and researcher for 20 years, with a particular focus on group counselling for PTSD and transition to civilian life. He co-founded and is the lead researcher for the COPE (Couples Overcoming PTSD Every Day) Program, which operates with funding from Wounded Warriors Canada. His dedication to military, veteran and family health has helped broaden how we can best support veterans and their families to successfully transition into a post-military life.

PJ Naylor is a professor, researcher and Graduate Advisor in the Department of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education. Her research often has a focus on public health. Her contribution to the field, as well as her mentorship of students have earned her one of the two 2018 Awards for Excellence in Research. 

Dr. Naylor conducts research on chronic disease and obesity in children. She looks at real-world environments as part of her research, with an emphasis on health promotion and prevention.

One of her current projects is the internationally-recognized health promotion initiative, Action Schools BC. Dr. Naylor is part of a team of researchers from UVic and UBC who introduced the evidence necessary to start the initiative, which promotes physical activity and healthy eating to children and youth.  

Allyson Hadwin is an associate professor and researcher in UVic’s Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies (EPLS). She has been recognized nationally for her outstanding mentorship of graduate students and is one of the 2018 winners of the Faculty of Education Awards for Excellence in Research.

Dr. Hadwin works in collaboration with a team of graduate student researchers and international co-investigators to find tools to help learning in various contexts. One key aspect of her research is the concept of self-regulation. She created UVic’s popular ED-D 101. Learning Strategies for University Success, a class which has mentored countless undergraduate students by introducing them to educational psychology theories, principles and research.

Some of her current research projects include PAR-21” Promoting adaptive regulation for 21st-century success, Investigating and promoting individual and socially shared regulation of learning in primary school and teacher education contexts, and Implementing and Researching Design in the Engineering curriculum (NSERC-collaborator).