(C)Rachel Crisp

Natasha Blanchet-Cohen, PhD

Full Professor, Applied Human Sciences

Research areas: Community youth development, rights-based approach, decoloniality, cultural safety, youth-led, eco-citizenship, education, community-engaged research, participatory action research, indigenous youth methodologies

Contact information

Email:

Natasha.Blanchet-Cohen@concordia.ca

ORCID:

0000-0001-5411-9638

Biography

Dr. Natasha Blanchet-Cohen is a Full Professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences. Her research centers on community youth development with a focus on rights-based approaches to programs and services, culture, and eco-citizenship, particularly as it relates to immigrant and indigenous young people. She is interested in the opportunities and limitations for young people in being change agents in their schools, homes, and communities, as well as the perspectives of youth in providing for rights-based and culturally-responsive services and programs. She is also interested in developmental evaluation as a way of creating space to engage young people and communities to assess their own realities and use this knowledge to inform future action. Dr. Blanchet-Cohen has a well-rounded record of publications, and has been an invited speaker nationally and internationally in the area of youth participation and citizenship, culturally-responsive ecocitizenship, developmental evaluation, and children’s rights. As an interdisciplinary and engaged scholar, her participation in national and international initiatives have contributed to building the capacity of human ecologies - including federal, provincial, and municipal polices and services, and school, family and peer groups – to positively support the quality of young peoples’ lives.

Education

PhD, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Victoria

MA, International Affairs, Carleton University

MA, Public Policy & Public Administration, Carleton University

BA, Political Science, McGill University

Affiliations

Dialog - Réseau de recherche et de connaissances relatives aux peuples autochtones
 Observatoire jeunes et société
Centr’ERE - Centre de recherche en éducation et formation relatives à l’environnement et à l’écocitoyenneté
Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability (fellow)
Carrefour Action Municipale des Familles (accreditation committee)
Equitas (Progam committee board member)

Research interests

Child agency and child participation
Community youth development
Children and ecocitizenship
Community-engaged research
Indigenous youth
Culturally-safe child and youth services and programs
Rights-based approaches

Teaching activities

Courses

AHSC 314 - Adolescence: Issues and intervention
AHSC 443 - Community Development I
AHSC 445 - Community Development II
AHSC 510 - Advanced Research Methods with Youth
AHSC 530 - Community Youth Development

Research activities

Grants -Principal investigator

2018-2024: Chaire-réseau jeunesse: Les parcours vers l'autonomie et l'épanouissement des jeunes dans une société en transformation: volet jeunes issus des Premières nations et Inuits. FRQSC

2019-2022. Développement identitaire et la réussite éducative des Innus en milieu urbain. Institut Tshakapesh.

2018-2014: Growing with the city: a longitudinal study onthe everyday lives of children in Montreal. Fondation du Grand Montréal (with J. Torres).

2024-2025: Critical allyship. Partnership Engage Grant SSHRC (with Equitas).

Co-investigator (current)

2021-2028 Co-researcher (T. Collins as PI). International and Canadian Child Rights Partnership. SSHRC. Lead of working group on policy.

2020- 2027 Co-Investigator (C. Lévesque PI). Réseau de recherche et de connaissance relatives aux peuples autochtones. FQRSC- Regroupement stratégique.

2020-24 Co-Investigator ( I. Orellana as PI). Fondements, pratiques, enjeux et défis de l’intégration des questions socio-écologique en éducation au Québec : vers une écocitoyenneté. FQRSC- Soutien aux équipes de recherche.

2018-2022 Co-Investigator (JM. Fontan as PI). Évaluation du rôle et des actions de fondations subventionnaires canadiennes en réponse à l'enjeu des inégalités sociales et des défis environnementaux. SSHRC Partnership grant.

Publications (selected)

Recent publications

Quintal-Marineau, M., Blanchet-Cohen, N., & Ibarra-Lemay, A. (2024). Indigenous-driven youth consultations: Reclaiming the process through meaningful participation. Canadian Public Policy. https://doi.org/10.3138/cpp.2022-056

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Picard, V., Robert-Careau, F., & Gray-Lehoux, C. (2023). “We are slowly reclaiming for ourselves”: The generative possibilities of Indigenous youth voices. Journal of Youth Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2023.2248916

Blanchet-Cohen, N., *Cooper, A., & Doel-Mackaway, H. (2023). (Re)imagining children’s participatory rights with decolonial learning [Special Issue]. O Social em Questão PUCRio, 56, 25–52. https://doi.org/10.17771/PUCRio.OSQ.62281

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Robert-Careau, F., et Pinsonneault, A. (printemps 2021). Repenser le soutien des transitions scolaires harmonieuses pour les jeunes autochtones en milieu urbain. Education et Francophonie. XLIX(1) https://revue.acelf.ca/pdf/EF-49-1-112_BLANCHET-COHEN_vf1.pdf

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Drouin-Gagné, M. E., Dufour, E., & *Picard, V. (2022). Jeunesses Autochtones : se réapproprier la recherche pour mieux se représenter soi-même. Revue d’Études Autochtones au Québec, 51(2–3,) 125–136.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Drouin-Gagné, M. E., & *Bellefleur, D. (2022). Favoriser le menuinniun : La voix des élèves Innus sur l’identité et la réussite éducative à l’école Québécoise. Enfance en Difficulté, 9, 33–55. https://doi.org/10.7202/1091297ar

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Robert-Careau, F., Lefevre-Radelli, L., & Talbot, C. (2022). Cheminer vers la sécurisation culturelle en milieu scolaire pour les Innus. Revue des Sciences de l’Éducation, 48(1). https://doi.org/10.7202/1092602ar

Blanchet-Cohen, N., & *Grégoire-Labrecque, G. (2022). The transformative potential of human rights education for youth engagement in the community. International Journal of Children’s Rights, 30, 352–373. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718182-30020002 Blanchet-Cohen, N., Cloutier, É., Laroche, S., Lévesque, C., & Wawanolath, M. (2021). Moving towards an indigenous-centered approach to perinatal care in urban Québec. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 16(2), 54-69. https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/ijih/article/view/33211

Blanchet-Cohen, N, Di Mambro, G., Petiquay, M. (2020). Le comité Witcihitiso(entraide) par et pour les familles d’adolescents autochtones en ville. First peoples child and family review, 15(2), 87-105. https://fpcfr.com/index.php/FPCFR/article/view/487/351

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Torres, J., Grégoire-Labrecque, G. (2020). Youth and their multiple relationships with their city: experiences of exclusion and belonging in Montreal. Sociological studies of children and youth (Rethinking young people’s lives through space and place), 26, 85-103.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Di Mambro, G., Sioui, G., & Robert-Careau, F. (2018). Le point de vue de jeunes autochtones en milieu urbain sur leur parcours scolaire. Revue jeunes et société, 3(2), 95-115. http://rjs.inrs.ca/index.php/rjs/article/view/152

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Geoffroy, P & Hoyos, L.M., (2018). Culturally safe developmental Evaluation: Supporting the Shift in Services for Indigenous Children. Journal of multidisciplinary evaluation.14(31), 19-31. https://journals.sfu.ca/jmde/index.php/jmde_1/article/view/497

Blanchet-Cohen, N. & Urud, M. (2017). Tana’Bawang: Cultural safety and the Kelabit land struggle in Borneo. AlterNatives. 13(2),170-178.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Denov, M, Sarah, F. & Bilotta, N. (2017). The nexus of war, resettlement and education: War-affected youth’s perspectives and responses to the Quebec education system. International journal of Intercultural Relations, 60, 160-168.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., & Di Mambro, G. (2016). L’éco-citoyenneté chez les enfants : potentiel et paradoxe. Éducation relative à l’environnement. Regards, recherches et réflexions,13(2). https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/ere/2016-v13-n2-ere04029/1052535ar/

Denov, M., & Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2016) Trajectories of Violence and Survival:Turnings and Adaptations in the Lives of Two War-affected Youth Living in Canada. Peace & Conflict : Journal of Peace Psychology, (22)3, 236-245.

Torres, J. et Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2016). Au-delà de l’accréditation : changement et continuité au sein des villes amies des enfants du Québec. Annales de la recherche urbaine n°111, 100-111.

Blanchet-Cohen, N. & Torres, J. (2015). Accreditation of child-friendly municipalities in Quebec: Opportunities for child participation. Children youth,environments [Special issue: Child-friendly cities: critical approaches].25(2), p. 16-32.

Blanchet-Cohen, N.,& Denov, M. (2015). War-affected children’s approach to resettlement: Implications for child and family services. [Special issue: The role ofanthropology in improving services for children and family]. Annals of Anthropological Practice,39(2), 120-133.

Ranahan, P., Blanchet-Cohen, N., Mann-Feder, V.(2015). Moving towards an integrated approach to youth work education.International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies, 6(4), 516-538.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., & Di Mambro, G. (2015). Environmental action research with immigrant children in schools: Space, audience and influence. Action Research, 13(2), 123-140.

Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2015). Igniting citizen participation in creating healthy built environments: The role of community organizations. Community Development Journal. 50(4), 264-279.

Books

Swadener, B., Lundy, L., Habashi, J., & Blanchet-Cohen, N. (Eds.). (2013). Children’s Rights in Education: International Perspectives. New York, NY: Peter Lang.

Journal special issue

Lefevre, B., Blanchet-Cohen, N., Léger, M. (2023). Famille et écocitoyenneté [Rédacteurs invités du numéro]. Enfances Familles Générations, 43. https://journals.openedition.org/efg/19322

Lavoie, C., Blanchet-Cohen, N., Bacon, M. (printemps 2021). Vers l’autochtonisation: pratiques éducatives inspirantes à l’ère de la réconciliation. Éducation et francophonie. Rédacteurs invités du numéro. https://www.acelf.ca/c/revue/pdf/EF-49-1-001_liminaire_vf1.pdf

Jean-Pierre, J., Blanchet-Cohen, N., De Finney, S., (2020). An empirical exploration of child and youth care pedagogical and curricular practices. International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies, 11(3).

Blanchet-Cohen,N., & Richardson, C. (2017). Cultural Safety: Applications and implications for Indigenous children, families, and communities AlterNatives: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples.13(2), 138-141.

Blanchet-Cohen, N. with Linds, W., Mann-Feder, V., & Yuen, F. (Eds.). (2013). Transforming practices: emancipatory approaches to youth engagement [Special issue]. International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies, 4(3-3.1). Retrieved from http://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/ijcyfs.

Research reports and practitioner manual

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Lefevre-Radelli, L., Robert-Careau, F., et Talbot, C. (2020). Réussite éducative et développement identitaire des Innus dans les écoles à Sept-Îles. Rapport de recherche. Institut Tshakapesh et Chaire-réseau jeunesse.

Blanchet-Cohen, N.,& Torres, J. (2017). Living in Montreal in the 21^stcentury; perspectives from young montrealers. Montreal: Fondation du Grand Montreal. https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3447383

Blanchet-Cohen, N. & Torres, J. [sous la direction de]. (2013). Municipalité amie des enfants: établir une demarche participative avec les jeunes. Carrefour Action Municipale et Famille. Retrieved from http://www.amiedesenfants.ca/attachments/article/88/Guide_FINAL_PDF.pdf

Dozois, E., Langlois, M., & Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2010). DE 201: Practitioner’s guide to developmental evaluation. Victoria: McConnell Foundation and International Institute for Child Rights and Development. Retrieve from : http://www.mcconnellfoundation.ca/en/resources/publication/de-201-a-practitioner-s-guide-to-developmental-evaluation

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Mack, E., & Cook, M. (2010). Changing the landscape: Engaging youth in social change. Victoria: International Institute for Child Rights and Development. See: http://www.mcconnellfoundation.ca/en/resources/report/youthscape-guidebook-changing-the-landscape-involving-youth-in-s

Book chapters

Blanchet-Cohen, N., & Torres, J. (2023). Enhancing citizen engagement at the municipal level: Youth’s perspectives. In J. Wyn, H. Cahill, & H. Cuervo (Eds.), Handbook of children and youth studies (2nd ed., pp. 391–404). Springer.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Pinsonneault, A., & Fontaine-Dumais, S. (2022). Aide à l’emploi pour les jeunes Autochtones en milieu urbain : des services culturellement sécurisants. In A. Lechaume, C. Fleury, & C. Prévost (Eds.), Les diversités en emploi. Perspectives et enjeux au Québec et au Canada (pp. 307–332). Presses de l’Université Laval.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., & *Ginsburg, J. L. (2021). Ethical issues in community youth work and youth participation. In V. Mann-Feder (Ed.), Doing ethics in child and youth care: A North American reader (Chapter 9; pp. 159–174). Canadian Scholars.

Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2020). Reflections, capacities and opportunities: being bold and creative (chapter 7). V. Caputo (ed). The children’s senator. Landon Pearson and a lifetime of advocacy (pp. 113-117). McGill Press.

Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2020). L’apport de la mobilisation communautaire pour un rapprochement école-famille en contexte autochtone au Québec. In A. Lenoir, L et Pelletier, L. (dir.). Regards critiques sur la relation école-familles (pp. 195-212). Éditions des archives contemporaines. France

Blanchet-Cohen, N., (2017). Apport des pédagogies autochtones à l’apprentissage de l’écocitoyenneté dans L. Sauvé, I. Orellana, C.Villemagne, et B. Bader. Éducation environnement Écocitoyenneté (pp. 67-80). Québec. Presse Universitaire duQuébec.

Torres, J., & Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2016). Reaching youth: tools for participating in the upgrading and evaluation of municipal equipment and services. In R. Thomas (Ed.) Planning Canada: A case study approach (ch. 6.4). Oxford University Press: Toronto.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., & Torres, J. (2015). Enhancing citizen engagement at the municipal level:youth’s perspectives. In J. Wyn, & H. Cahill (Eds.). Handbook of Children and Youth Studies (pp.391-404). Singapore: Springer.doi 10.1007/978-981-4451-96-3_62-1

Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2015). Indigenous children’s rights: Opportunities in Appropriation and Transformation. In W. Vandenhole, E. Desmet, D. Reynaert,& S. Lembrechts (Eds). Routledge International Handbook Children’s rights studies (pp.371-386). London: Routledge.

Participation activities

Peer-reviewed conferences & presentations (selected)

Blanchet-Cohen, N. Pinsonneault, A., Robert-Careau. F. (2019, Octobre). Portraits et approches pour soutenir les transitions scolaires auprès des jeunes autochtones en milieu urbain : résultat d’une étude collaborative. Colloque sur la persévérance et la réussite scolaires chez les Premiers Peuples, Montreal, QC.

Blanchet-Cohen, N. (panel chair). (2019, October). Moving forward with innovative Indigenous methodologies for education in Quebec with Elizabeth Fast (Concordia University), Sakay Ottawa (École secondaire Manawan), Jrene Rahm (Universite de Montreal), Michele Smith (Dawson College), Genevieve Sioui (Concordia University), Marie-Kristine Petiquay (UQAM) and other youth and community members. Colloque sur la persévérance et la réussite scolaires chez les Premiers Peuples, Montreal, QC.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Mapara, A., & Grégoire-Labrecque, G. (2019, April). Youth community action to promote diversity, Child & Youth Care in Action VI. Moving through trails and trials towards community wellness. Victoria, BC.

Richardson, C., & Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2019, April). Into the future: doing Indigenous, collaborative, youth-centered, participatory action research in the Quebec Chair youth Research Network, Child & Youth Care in Action VI. Moving through trails and trials towards community wellness. Victoria, BC.

Blanchet-Cohen, N., Wright, L., Morrison, B. (2018, May). Shaking the movers: space, voice audience and influence. Transitions and transformations: 2018 Child and youth care conference, Vancouver, BC.

Invited presentations (selected)

Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2021, April). Tell us what we can do: Redefining youth-adult research collaborations. SFU Community-Engaged Research. Webinar with J. Torres. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzb2CburWys

New Perspectives for research and methodologies: engaging researchers and Indigenous youth. 4^th Space Concordia University. Webinar with E. Fast and A. Turcotte. See podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6cLBUqGzk0

Blanchet-Cohen, N. (2020, October) Young people’s roles in building community resilience in 2020. Keynote Speaker at “Forum for youth insights: careers and education orientations for the post-Covid 19 world.” Quescreen, Youth4youthQuebec, and the Black Community Resource Center.

Website design

Grandir avec Montreal : https://www.grandiravecmontreal.org/

Chaire-Réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse du Québec: http://www.chairejeunesse.ca/index.php/a-propos