Dr. Myriam Denov, Canada Research Chair in Children, Families and Armed Conflict (Tier 1) and Professor at 91şÚÁĎÍř’s School of Social Work, has been awarded the for her work specializing in participatory and arts-based research methods focusing on children and families affected by war.ĚýÂ
For over two decades, Professor Denov has made visible the human rights violations of children in war and pushed the frontiers of research on sexual violence, trauma and mental health.ĚýÂ
“Working closely with war-affected youth is - hands-down - the best part of my job,” says Denov, who has worked with groups of youth from northern Uganda and Rwanda for over ten years now. “While not initially planned, the research has become longitudinal. This has enabled me to understand the complexities of war and its consequences over time. One of the most rewarding aspects of this work has been witnessing how the lives of these extraordinary youth have evolved over the years—the opportunities they have created for themselves, their activism, the obstacles they continue to navigate, and the ways they have shaped their own futures despite profound and ongoing adversity.”Â
“Their insights have not only enriched my research but have also profoundly influenced how I think about recovery, social change, and the responsibilities of researchers working in conflict and post-conflict settings,” adds Denov.ĚýÂ
The Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prizes are awarded annually to two persons, one in the arts and the other in the social sciences and humanities to individuals who have distinguished themselves by their outstanding achievements and encourage ongoing contributions to Canada’s cultural and intellectual heritage.Ěý
The Innovative and Transformative Nature of Participatory ResearchÂ
Participatory research is an approach that actively involves people in the research process rather than treating them simply as subjects of study, grounded in the belief that individuals and communities hold valuable knowledge about their own lives.Ěý
Through her work, Denov has helped create opportunities for children and youth affected by war to share their experiences in ways that are meaningful to them, which includes everything from traditional interviews, and arts-based methods, such as mask-making, photography, drawing, theatre storytelling, music, map-making and other creative methods and outputs.ĚýÂ
“These approaches have significantly expanded our understanding of war-affected children globally” says Denov, emphasizing that while traditional research often focuses on trauma, victimization and loss, a participatory approach reveals a much more complex picture. “It highlights children's perspectives, their everyday realities, their creativity, and the ways that they navigate and respond to adversity. It has helped challenge assumptions about children as passive victims of war and instead recognize them as social actors with important insights into the challenges facing their communities and the solutions needed to address them.”Â
Recognizing the National and Global Impact of Denov’s ResearchÂ
In recent years, Professor Denov’s innovative research outputs have also been recognized with the Governor General Innovation Award, the , and the Prix du QuĂ©bec.Ěý
“I am deeply honoured by these recognitions,” says Denov. “Yet what I value most is the opportunities that they’ve created to bring greater public attention to the experiences of children and youth affected by war—experiences that have too often remained on the margins of public discourse, policy discussions, and research.”Â
Professor Denov’s participatory research approach has been adopted globally by organizations such as the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and UNICEF, and her research has helped inform public policy, such as the United Kingdom’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative.Ěý
“These awards have helped broaden the reach of this work beyond the university, to better engage with policymakers, practitioners, community organizations, and the wider public,” says Denov. “In doing so, they help contribute to a more nuanced understanding of children's experiences in war and its aftermath—one that recognizes not only the profound harms and losses they experience, but also their leadership, and capacity to shape social change within their communities.”Â
Denov notes that her many accolades are an important recognition of a collective effort, reflecting the commitment of her research partners in northern Uganda and Rwanda.ĚýÂ
“[Their] collaboration has been essential to every stage of this work,” says Denov. “Most importantly, they are a tribute to the remarkable children, youth, and families who have generously shared their experiences over many years.”Â
Denov’s latest research focuses on .Ěý
“Emotions are often treated as something to be managed or minimized in research, yet they are central to how people make sense of their experiences and how researchers build meaningful relationships with participants,” says Denov. “Paying attention to emotion can deepen our understanding of children’s lives during and after war and help to create research that is not only more rigorous, but also more ethical, culturally relevant, respectful, and responsive to the people involved.”Â