Conor Barker

5

Articles

10

Comments
Children thrive when they feel they belong. They do better when they are emotionally regulated, when their routines are predictable and when parents and teachers work together. (Getty Images/Unsplash+)

Dispelling 6 myths about back‑to‑school readiness

Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University

Parents might often worry about academic performance. While that is important, it is also vital that children feel a sense of belonging at school.
A drag queen who goes by the name Flame reads stories to children and their caretakers during a Drag Story Hour at a public library in New York, Friday, June 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Pride, pages and performance: Why drag story time matters more than ever

Phillip Joy, Mount Saint Vincent University; Andrea Fraser, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University

When children are shown diverse characters and stories, they begin to understand the world from multiple perspectives. A study aims to understand how performers select books.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, centre, speaks to media during the closing news conference at the Council of the Federation of Canada’s premiers in Winnipeg in July. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Saskatchewan naming and pronoun policy: The best interests of children must guide provincial parental consent rules

Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University and Patrick Richards, University of Saskatchewan

Elected officials must consider relevant research and legal context when shaping education policies. Otherwise, they risk destabilizing classrooms and harming students.
Contrary to misconceptions, exposing children to diverse expressions of gender identity supports their natural development and fosters inclusivity. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

5 things to know about Drag Queen Story Time

Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University and Daniel G. Seguin, Mount Saint Vincent University

Drag Queen Story Time events have faced backlash and protests recently. But contrary to misconceptions, these events can support child development and promote acceptance.
Psychologists can be found in the public system (for example, schools, hospitals, public health offices), but increasingly are choosing to work in private practice, fee-for-service, clinics. (Shutterstock)

In Canada’s two‑tiered mental health system, access to care is especially challenging in rural areas

Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University; Krista C Ritchie, Mount Saint Vincent University; Sara King, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Veronica Hutchings, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Rural Canadians face challenges accessing mental health services, and an exodus of psychologists from the public system may make matters worse.

Contact Conor for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision