Dr. Kara Thompson, a distinguished professor at StFX, has been appointed as the Research Chair in Substance Use Policy & Prevention within the Victor P. Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health and the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at StFX. Dr. Thompson’s expertise in alcohol policy and substance use in young adulthood has garnered her national and provincial recognition for her research contributions. Her appointment, effective July 1, 2024, for a five-year term, highlights her significant impact on substance use policy and harm reduction efforts across the country.
Dr. Thompson’s impressive credentials include being a faculty member in the StFX Psychology Department, Coordinator of StFX’s Interdisciplinary Health Program, and leading the Substance Use and Health in Emerging Adulthood (SHEA) Lab at StFX. She is actively involved in various organizations such as the Nova Scotia Alcohol Policy Coalition, the Atlantic Alcohol Policy Network, and the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. Her role as a scientific expert in developing Canada’s new guidance on alcohol and health underscores her influence in shaping national policies.
In her new position, Dr. Thompson aims to focus on upstream approaches to address substance use among young people, aligning with the vision of the Victor P. Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health. She expresses her excitement and commitment to pushing the boundaries of research and creating impactful innovations in substance use and health promotion. Dr. Thompson’s dedication to connecting academic research with community needs reflects her passion for making a difference in health and wellness.
Elizabeth Yeo, StFX Vice-President of Students, praises Dr. Thompson’s appointment, emphasizing her expertise in advancing substance use policy and prevention. As a member of the NS Post-Secondary Alcohol/Substance Harm Reduction Working Group, Dr. Thompson’s research on campus alcohol policies is instrumental in developing effective strategies to reduce student alcohol use and harm. Her leadership within the group will facilitate communication and collaboration to implement harm reduction initiatives in postsecondary institutions across Nova Scotia.
Dr. Thompson’s collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) to develop a multi-media toolkit for postsecondary institutions demonstrates her commitment to disseminating evidence-based practices. Her research as a developmental psychologist focuses on understanding how mental health and substance use evolve across the life course, particularly during adolescence and young adulthood. By intervening during this critical developmental period, Dr. Thompson aims to minimize the negative impacts of mental health and substance use issues on healthy development.
With a PhD in lifespan development psychology from the University of Victoria, Dr. Thompson has secured over $4.5 million in research funding and published 75 peer-reviewed articles. Her accolades include the 2021 President’s Research Award at StFX and the 2023-2025 Jules Léger Scholar in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Originally from Prince Edward Island, Dr. Thompson’s dedication to enhancing health and wellness in the Maritime provinces reflects her commitment to making a positive impact on the community.