Welcoming Dr. Johanna Sam to HELP as Faculty Member

We are excited to welcome Dr. Johanna Sam to the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) as a faculty member.

Dr. Johanna Sam is a citizen of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and currently resides on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Musqueam People. She is a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar and an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia, jointly appointed in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, as well as the NITEP — Indigenous Teacher Education Program.

Dr. Sam’s research is grounded in Indigenous knowledges and community-led methodologies, with a focus on advancing holistic wellness among diverse children and adolescents. Her work integrates developmental and educational psychology with a public health lens to explore both upstream and downstream determinants of wellness. She investigates how mental health, education, and digital technologies intersect, with an emphasis on strengths-based, culturally resurgent supports and protective factors. Her work supports evidence-informed policies and practices that promote wellness in communities, especially in the digital age.

“I am looking forward to deepening culturally resurgent and sustaining practices, community-led research partnerships through HELP, and contributing to holistic wellness in communities and online spaces,” says Dr. Sam.

Dr. Mariana Brussoni, Director of HELP, shared: “We’re very excited to welcome Dr. Johanna Sam to HELP. Her deep commitment to Indigenous knowledges and community-led research aligns powerfully with our vision of promoting equity and wellness for all children. Johanna’s work spanning mental health, education, and digital technology brings important and timely perspectives that will strengthen HELP’s efforts to support thriving children, families, and communities.”

Dr. Sam’s scholarly interest include adolescence, Indigenous pedagogies and methodologies, cyberagression, social and emotional learning, and digital pedagogies. We look forward to the valuable contributions she will bring to our research community.