where brave new worlds collide

I am the author.  My name is Charlene.

My career began in the University.  Sociology Department at MSVU.  I worked for Dr. Dianne Looker on Internet access, youth and rural development. Also conducting independent research on the Internet, and the virtual communities and identities that were emerging there.  In my time at the Mount I also learned how to manipulate analyze and interpret social statistics.

My skill with stats landed me a job as assistant to Dalhousie criminologist Dr. Don Clairmont for the final report of the Mayor’s Roundtable on Violence and Public Safety.

From MSVU , I moved to the Bioethics Department at Dalhousie University, assisting Dr. Blye Frank in his research on gender as a social indicator of health.

While working at Dalhousie, I also founded the non-profit society Artist for Autism, motivated by my personal connection to autism as the mother of two autistic boys.  That project has since fell by the wayside.

Upon leaving Dal, I began doing contract research with non-profits (Community Action on Homelessness, Halifax Housing Help, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) and private sector firms (Kisserup International Trade Inc) with my acquired skills in SPSS and Report Design. Working on a diverse range of projects.

I also dabbled in politics serving a brief stint as president of the Green Party of Nova Scotia. However, quickly learned that party politics was not my game. (but we made a fun little video)

I am currently working on projects with The Ryakuga Collaborative, Naylor Research and Consulting and The Atlantic Institute of Criminology with Dr. Don Clairmont.

My current professional goals are:

• to be able to use my knowledge and skills in ways which are true to my values and personal philosophies
• to facilitate community organization and action within and outside of the institution
• to contribute to the public dialogue that strives for a radical shift in current social and economic policy