Curriculum Vitae - 2023
Sonya de Laat
Current positions
Research Associate 2023-2024
Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Academic Program Advisor & Curriculum Coordinator 2019-2023
Global Health Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Sessional Lecturer, Bachelor of Health Sciences Program 2020-present
McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Course HTH SCI 3E03: Human Security and Health (Winter term, 17 students);
- Design and deliver course in a blended format;
- Responsible for providing timely formative feedback, and summative assessments;
- Received positive feedback from 95% of those who completed feedback forms.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow in Humanitarian Health Ethics 2018-2019
McMaster University, Hamilton
Topic: Moral and practical dimensions of palliative care in refugee camps in Rwanda.
Supervisor: Lisa Schwartz
Doctor of Philosophy 2017
Media Studies, Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University
Dissertation: Regarding Aid: The Photographic Situation of Humanitarianism
Supervisor: Sharon Sliwinski https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/5047/
Master of Arts 2003
Department of Anthropology, McMaster University
Thesis: "Shock Packs": Audience Responses to Health Canada's Graphic-Image Health-Warning Labels on Tobacco Product Packaging
Supervisor: William Rodman
Bachelor of Arts, Honours 2000
Department of Anthropology & Minor in Religious Studies, McMaster University
Awards
- Caroline Reeves Visiting Scholarship 2019-2020
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) 2016-2017
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) $15, 000 2015-2016
- Global Humanitarianism Research Academy (GHRA-2015), July 12-24. 2015
International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) $15, 000 2014-2015
- Western School of Graduate Students (SOGS) Travel Bursary $400 (max.) 2014
- Dean’s Scholarship $3000 - Western University, PhD, MS-FIMS 2012
- Entrance scholarship $1000 - McMaster University, MA, Anthropology 2001
Publications—Peer reviewed
Schwartz L, Nouvet E, de Laat S, Yantzi R, Wahoush O, Khater WA, et al. (2023) Aid when ‘there is nothing left to offer’: Experiences of palliative care and palliative care needs in humanitarian crises. PLOS Glob Public Health 3(2): e0001306. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001306
de Laat S. (2022). “Memory and Photographs of Unrepresentable Trauma in Rwandan Transitional Justice” IN Wolfe, S., Kane, M., & Ansah, T. (Eds.). In the Shadow of Genocide: Justice and Memory within Rwanda (1st ed.). Routledge.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003228592
Nouvet E, Hunt M, Krishnaraj K, Schuster-Wallave C, Bernard C, Elit L, de Laat S, Schwartz L. (2022) “Chapter 12: Unpacking the ‘Oughtness’ of Palliative Care in Humanitarian Crises: Moral Logics and What Is at Stake?” Daniel Messelken and David Winkler eds. Health Care in Contexts of Risk, Uncertainty, and Hybridity. Springer Nature Switzerland AG. eBook ISBN 978-3-030-80443-5 Print ISBN 978-3-030-80442-8
de Laat, S. (2021). “In Then Out of the Frame: Lewis Hine’s Photographs of Refugees for the American Red Cross, 1918–20”, Journal of Humanitarian Affairs, 3(2), 5-17. Retrieved Nov 11, 2021, from https://www.manchesteropenhive.com/view/journals/jha/3/2/article-p5.xml
- Includes accompanying online photography exhibit by Canadian photographer Stephanie Colvey.
de Laat S. (2021). “The camera and the Red Cross: ‘Lamentable pictures’ and conflict photography bring into focus an international movement, 1855–1865”. International Review of the Red Cross. No. 913. March 2021. https://international-review.icrc.org/articles/camera-and-red-cross-lamentable-pictures-and-conflict-photography-913
de Laat, S., Wahoush, O., Jaber, R. Khater W, Musoni E, Abu Siam I, Schwartz L and the Humanitarian Health Ethics Research Group (2021) A case analysis of partnered research on palliative care for refugees in Jordan and Rwanda. Confl Health 15, 2.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-020-00333-6
Nouvet, E., Bezanson, K., Hunt, M., Kouyate, S. Schwartz, L., Binta Diallo, F., de Laat, S., Bah-Sow, OY., Ahmadou Diallo, A., Diallo, P. (2021). Dying in honour: experiences of end-of-life palliative care during the 2013–2016 Ebola outbreak in Guinea. Int J Humanitarian Action6, 10 https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-021-00099-3 Open access link
Schuster-Wallace, C., Nouvet, E., Rigby, I., Krishnaraj, G., de Laat, S., Schwartz, L., & Hunt, M. (2021). Culturally sensitive palliative care in humanitarian action: Lessons from a critical interpretive synthesis of culture in palliative care literature. Palliative and Supportive Care, 1-11. doi:10.1017/S1478951521000894 at: https://www.doi.org/10.1017/S1478951521000894
Hunt, M., Nouvet, E., Chénier, A., Krishnaraj, G., Bernard, C., Bezanson, K., de Laat, S., Shcwartz, L. (2020). Addressing obstacles to the inclusion of palliative care in humanitarian health projects: a qualitative study of humanitarian health professionals’ and policy makers’ perceptions. Confl Health 14, 70.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-020-00314-9
de Laat S. (2019). “Pictures in Development: The Canadian International Development Agency’s Photo Library.” In A Samaritan State Revisited: Historical Perspectives on Canadian Foreign Aid, Gregory Donaghy and David Webster, eds. Chapter 9. Calgary University Press. 978-1-77385-040-5.
de Laat S. (2018). Pictures of migration: The invisible shock of misery photographs. Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies, 7(1): 15-36. DOI: 10.1386/ajms.7.1.15_1
Tijerina S. and de Laat S. (2018). Constructing Modernity and Progress: The Imperializing Lens of an American Engineer in the Early Twentieth Century. Iperstoria, No. XI, Spring/Summer, 24-39. http://www.iperstoria.it/joomla/images/PDF/Numero_11/monografica_11/Tijerina%20and%20de%20Laat.pdf
Hunt M, Chénier A, Bezanson K, Nouvet E, Bernard C, de Laat S, Krishnaraj G, L Schwartz L. Moral experiences of humanitarian health professionals caring for patients who are dying or likely to die in a humanitarian crisis. Journal of International Humanitarian Action. 2018. 3: 12.
Nouvet E, Sivaram M, Bezanson K, Krishnaraj G, Hunt M, de Laat S, Sanger S, Banfield L, Favila Escobio Rodriguez P, and Schwartz L. (2018). Palliative care in humanitarian crises: a review of the literature. Journal of International Humanitarian Action (2018) 3:5, 1-14.
de Laat S and Gorin V. (2016). Iconographies of Humanitarian Aid in Africa, IN Learning from the past to shape the future: Lessons from the history of humanitarian action in Africa. Edited by Christina Bennett, Matthew Foley and Hanna B. Krebs Overseas Development Institute, Humanitarian Policy Group, https://cdn.odi.org/media/documents/11148.pdf
de Laat S. (2016). Congo Free State, 1904: Humanitarian Photographs, Atlas on Humanitarianism and Human Rights, http://wiki.ieg-mainz.de/ghra/index.php?title=Online_Atlas_on_the_History_of_Humanitarianism_and_Human_Rights. The contribution was part of participation in the inaugural Global Humanitarianism Research Academy, July 2015.
Nouvet E, de Laat S, Wang C, Abu-Sada C, and Schwartz L. (2016). Opportunities and challenges of perceptions studies for humanitarian contexts. Canadian Journal of Development Studies. Published online 17 March. DOI: 10.1080/02255189.2015.1120659
Parker MJ, de Laat S, Schwartz L. (2016). Exploring the experiences of substitute decision makers with an exception to consent in a pediatric resuscitation randomized controlled trial: study protocol for a qualitative research study. Sept. BMJ Open: 6:e012931 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012931http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/9/e012931.full.pdf+html.
Fraser V, Hunt MR, Schwartz L, de Laat S. (2015). The development of a Humanitarian Health Ethics Analysis Tool. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 30(04): 412-420. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X1500480X
Schwartz L, Hunt M, Redwood-Campbell L, de Laat S. (2012). Ethics and emergency disaster response: Normative approaches and training needs for humanitarian health care providers. Disaster Bioethics; Donal O’Mathuna ed. Springer.
Schwartz L, Hunt M, Sinding C, Elit L, Redwood-Campbell L, Adelson N, de Laat S, Ranford J (2012). Western clinical health ethics: How well do they travel to humanitarian contexts? In, Dilemmas, challenges and ethics of humanitarian action (Ed. Caroline Abu-Sada). McGill Queen’s University Press. http://mqup.mcgill.ca/book.php?bookid=2920
Schwartz L, Hunt M, Sinding C, Elit L, Redwood-Campbell L, Adelson N, de Laat S, Ranford J. (2013). La déontologie des activités cliniques occidentales est-elle applicable aux contextes humanitaires a l'étranger?. In: Abu-Sada C, ed. Jeux de miroir: Réflexions sur MSF et l'action humanitaire. Lausanne, Switzerland: Antipodes: 77-92. [French version of Western clinical health ethics: How well do they travel to humanitarian contexts? In, Dilemmas, challenges and ethics of humanitarian action]
Schwartz L, Hunt M, Sinding C, Elit L, Redwood-Campbell L, Adelson N, de Laat S. (2012). Models for Humanitarian Health Care Ethics. Public Health Ethics 5: 81-90
Strachan PH, de Laat S, Carroll SL, Schwartz L, and Arthur MH. (2011) Readability and content of patient education material related to implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Journal of Cadiovascular Nursing. 16 Sept. PMID: 21926915
Carroll SL, Strachan PH, Schwartz L, de Laat S, and Arthur MH. (2011). Patients’ Decision-Making to Accept or Decline an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death, Health Expectations. 7 Jun. DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00703.x
Strachan PH, Carroll SL, Schwartz L, de Laat S, Arthur MH. (2011). ‘The worst that can happen is sudden death’: Patients' perspectives on end-of-life and implantable cardioverter defibrillators, Journal of Palliative Care, 27(1): Spring.
Schwartz L, Sinding C, Hunt M, Elit L, Redwood-Campbell L, Adelson N, Ranford J, de Laat S. (2010). Ethics in humanitarian aid work: Learning from the narratives of humanitarian health workers; AJOB Primary Research, 2150-7724, Volume 1, Issue 3, 01 July, Pages 45 – 54 http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/section?content=a926409051&fulltext=713240928
Miller FA, Carroll JC, Wilson B, Bytautas J, Allanson J, Cappelli M, de Laat S, and Saibil F. (2010) The primary care physician role in cancer genetics: A qualitative study of patient experience. Family Practice
Etchegary H, Miller F, de Laat S, Wilson B, Carroll J, and Cappelli M. (2009) Decision-making about inherited cancer risk: Exploring dimensions of genetic responsibility. Journal of Genetic Counseling 18: 252-264.
Miller F, Giacomini M, Ahern C, Robert JS, de Laat S. (2008). When research seems like clinical care: a qualitative study of the communication of individual cancer genetic research results. BMC Medical Ethics Vol.9, No.4. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6939/9/4
de Laat S. (2004). Picture Perfect (?): Ethical Considerations in Visual Representation. Nexus: The Canadian Student Journal of Anthropology. Volume 17.
de Laat S. (2003). Multiplicity of Balinese Character.” Nexus: The Canadian Student Journal of Anthropology. Volume 16.
Publications—Forthcoming
PGPH-D-23-01698 PLOS Global Public Health
Of staging, suffering and empowerment: Ethical and pragmatic experiences of
photographers in creating global health visuals. Arsenii Alenichev, Sonya de Laat, Nassisse Solomon, Marla Shavitz, Halina Suwalowska, Koen Peeters Grietens, Michael Parker, Pattricia Kingori.
220511313 Medicine, Conflict and Survival
“They do their utmost”: Promise and limits of palliative care in two refugee camps in Rwanda.
Sonya de Laat, Emmanuel R. Musoni, Kevin Bezanson, Rachel Yantzi, Olive Wahoush, Elysée Nouvet, Matthew Hunt, Takhliq Amir, Carrie Bernard, Christian Ntizimira, and Lisa Schwartz.
GHRP-D-22-00078 Global Health Research and Policy journal
“And whom do you let go?”: Health professionals’ perceptions of triage for those likely to die during humanitarian response to natural disasters Takhliq Amir; Rachel Yantzi; Sonya de Laat; Carrie Bernard; Corinne Schuster-Wallace; Laurie Elit; Matthew Hunt; Lisa Schwartz
Publications—Reviews
de Laat, S. (2019). Lee miller, photography, surrealism and the Second World War: from Vogue to Dachau by Lynn Hilditch. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2017, 183 pages. ISBN: 1-5275-0017-9/978-1-5275-0017-4 Price €58.99. Pages: 1-3 | DOI: 10.1080/1472586X.2019.1655281
de Laat S. (2018). Where the Roads All End: Photography and Anthropology in the Kalahari. Ilisa Barbash. Peabody Museum Press, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 2016. 274 pages, with 164 colour and black & white illustrations., ISBN 978-0-87365-409-8, History of Photography, 42:2, 206-207,DOI: 10.1080/03087298.2018.1488649
de Laat S. (2017). Humanitarian Photography: A History. Heide Fehrenbach and Davide Rodogno, eds. 2015. Cambridge University Press. Book Review. History of Photography Journal. Issue 3. http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/cyVtpi7Pd8akXRMaEAF6/full
de Laat S. (2017). Photography, humanitarianism, empire. Jane Lydon, 2015. Book Review. Visual Studies. Published online: 4 July. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1472586X.2017.1345473
de Laat S. (2017) “Images performing history: Photography and representation of the past in European art after 1989” Visual Studies. Published online: 12 January. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1472586X.2016.1274191
de Laat S. (2015). Aïm Deüelle Lüski and horizontal photography, Visual Studies, 31:2, June 2016. Pages: 156-157. Published online 20 March. DOI: 10.1080/1472586X.2015.1020084http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rvst20/31/2
de Laat S. (2013). The cruel radiance: Photography and political violence, Visual Studies: 28:1, 103-104. http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rvst20/28/1
de Laat S, Schwartz L, Williams-Jones B, Hunt M, Rochon C, Okhowat A. (2012). Combat Hospital’s Deployment of Ethics and Entertainment. CMAJ April 3, 184:680-681; published ahead of print March 12, 2012 http://www.cmaj.ca/content/184/6/680.full?etoc
de Laat S. (2002). First Son: Portraits of C. D. Hoy. Nexus: The Canadian Student Journal of Anthropology. Volume 15. http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/nexus/vol16/iss1/5/
Publications—Online
de Laat S. (2022). “Community-based palliative care in refugee camps: Rwandan snapshots.” Ethox Centre Blog. https://www.ethox.ox.ac.uk/blog/community-based-palliative-care-refugee-camps
de Laat S. (2021). “Was it really “different back then”?: Reflecting on current global health ethics with a NFB film about CUSO, 1965” Canadian Historical Association, The Teaching and Learning Blog, Part I: August 24 and Part II: August 31.
de Laat, S. (2019). “Seeing Refugees”: Using Old Photographs to Gain New Perspectives on Refugees, Past and Present. IN Confronting Canadian Migration History, Active History ebook series, Daniel Ross, ed. ISBN (electronic book): 978-1-9990201-3-2 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-9UUcbORUmrxOG4dUr1yj5p2CMKBL98e/view
de Laat S. (2019). Television and Ebola. How televisions can change disease perception & reduce stigma. ELRHA, https://www.elrha.org/project-blog/television-and-ebola/
de Laat S. (2019). How can cultural history of ‘health’ change disease perceptions & reduce stigma? ELRHA https://www.elrha.org/project-blog/how-can-cultural-history-of-health-change-disease-perception-reduce-stigma/
de Laat S. (2018). “Seeing Refugees”: Using Old Photographs to Gain New Perspectives on Refugees, Past and Present. ActiveHistory.ca. 25 October. http://active history.ca/2018/10/seeing-refugees-using-old-photographs-to-gain-new-perspectives-on-refugees-past-and-present/
de Laat S. (2017). Refugee Health: ensuring and asserting Well Being. Editorial. Reflections. 5(1), Summer. http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=94c88c074898096e5084fef18&id=4c664c5ac8
de Laat S. (2017). Of textbooks and well buried bones. Reflections. 5(1). Summer. https://humanitarianhealthethics.net/2017/04/18/of-textbooks-and-well-buried-bones-sonya-de-laat/
de Laat S. Marshall, D. (2016) Treasures of CIDA’s 30-Year-Old Photography Collections: A Visual Perspective on Canadian International Aid, Canadian Network on Humanitarian History, 2 December 2016. http://aidhistory.ca/treasures-of-cidas-30-year-old-photography-collections-a-visual-perspective-on-canadian-international-aid/ Cross-posted: ActiveHistory.ca http://activehistory.ca/2016/12/the-cida-photography-collections-a-visual-perspective-on-canadian-international-aid/
de Laat S. (2016). Portfolio: Barton Village Series. Introduction by Amanda Dudnik. Hamilton Arts and Letters.Issue 9.1. June.
de Laat S. (2015). Humanitarian visual landscape of 2015. Picturing Humanitarian Healthcare blog. March 2016. http://humanitarianhealthethics.net/2016/03/31/the-humanitarian-visual-landscape-of-2015/
de Laat S. (2015). Two tweets, two different takes on people. Reflections, 3(2). Summer 2015. https://humethnet.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/reflectons_summer2015_v3n2.pdf
Williams-Jones B, de Laat S, Hunt M, Rochon C, Okhowat A, Schwartz L, Horning J. (2015). ‘Easy Decisions, Not Comfortable Decisions’: The Ethical Tensions Experienced by Canadian Military Healthcare Professionals on International Deployments. Ethics and Armed Forces (http://www.ethicsandarmedforces.com/)
de Laat S. (2014). Film Review: Dirty Wars. Reflections, 2(2). Autumn 2014. https://humethnet.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/reflections_autumn2014_v2n2.pdf
de Laat S and EMMRG [www.emmrg.ca]. (2014). Doctors, Torture, and the Fog of War: A Review of Doctors of the Dark Side. Reflections, 2(1), Winter/spring. https://humethnet.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/reflections_winterspring2014_v2n1.pdf
de Laat S. (2013). Donor Solicitation Quagmire. Picturing Humanitarian Healthcare: Blog of the Humanitarian Health Ethics Research Group. 8 May: https://humanitarianhealthethics.net/2013/05/08/donor-solicitation-quagmire/
Conference presentations
2022
de Laat S. (June 2022). Caroline Miles Visiting Scholar presentation. Ethox Cetre. Oxford University, UK. https://www.ethox.ox.ac.uk/blog/community-based-palliative-care-refugee-camps
(Invited) de Laat S. (13 September 2022). Media and Humanitarianism discussion panel. Herrenhausen Conference, 11-13 September 2022, Governing Humanitarianism: The Past, Present, and Future of Global Equity and Social Justice. Herrenhausen Palace, Hanover, Germany.
(Invited) de Laat S. (4 October 2022). Trauma-Informed Palliative Care in Times of Humanitarian Crisis: Lessons from Ukraine and Rwanda. International Psycho-Oncology Society. https://ipos.wildapricot.org/News/12908071
2021
de Laat, S. “Was it really ‘different back then’?: Reflecting on current global health ethics with a NFB film about CUSO, 1965,” Making Connections with the Public: Alternative Approaches to Learning History, Canadian History Association annual conference, panel sponsored by the Canadian Network on Humanitarian History. 31 May 2021
(Invited) de Laat, S. “Pictures in Development: The Canadian International Development Agency’s Photo Library” Then & Now: Decades of public engagement in international development. Aga Khan Foundation of Canada. 12 February 2021: https://www.akfc.ca/news/then-now-decades-of-public-engagement-in-international-development/
2019
(Invited) de Laat, S. Convergent Histories: Photography and the origins of the international Red Cross committee, 1855-1865. Global Affairs Canada, History Matters Series, Lester B. Pearson Building, Ottawa, ON, 14 March 2019.
(Invited) de Laat S. Pictures of Refugees: The role of Canada’s International Development Photography Library in exposing and concealing humanity, 1987-2013. Culture & International History VI: Visions of Humanity, John F. Kennedy Institute, Berlin, Germany, 6-8 May 2019.
de Laat S. In then Out of the Frame: Lewis Hine’s Photographs of Refugees for the American Red Cross, 1919-1920, Histories of the Red Cross Movement Since 1919, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 17 Chemin des Crêts, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland, 13-14 June 2019.
(Invited) de Laat S. The Camera, Combat Photography and the Red Cross: Henry Dunant’s Lamentable Pictures and the Moral Imperative of Showing Suffering. Participant: Regarding the Pain of Others: What do emotions have to do in the history of humanitarian images? A workshop organized by the Institute for Ethics, History and the Humanities and CERAH, Louis Jeantet Auditorium, Geneva Switzerland, 4-5 July 2019.
2018
de Laat S, Wahoush O, Khater W, Musoni E, Abu-Siam I, Bezanson K, Nouvet E, Hunt M, Bernard C, Yantzi R, Elit L, Redwood-Campbell L, Upshur R, Schwartz L. (2018) ‘Nothing in the world can serve those people like palliative care’: Results from a qualitative study on palliative care for refugees in Jordan and Rwanda, 22ndInternational Congress on Palliative Care, Montreal, 2-5 October (3 Oct).
de Laat S, Musoni E, Abu-Siam I, Wahoush O. (2018). Small Humanitarian Acts that Make All the Difference in End of Life Care? Panel presentation, with Dr. Paul Bouvier as keynote speaker. HHERG and CERAH sponsored-event. Maison de la paix, Geneva, 26 September.
de Laat S. Visual Displacement of Refugees: Lewis Hine’s First World War Photographs for the American Red Cross, 1918-1920, Panel: Histories of Humanitarianism and (Visual) Media, Canadian Historical Association Annual Meeting, Social Sciences and Humanities Congress, 29 May 2018, Regina.
Nouvet E, Kouyaté S, Bezanson K, Bah-Sow O, Diallo AA, Schwartz L, Hunt M, Yantzi R, de Laat S, Diallo P. (2018). Preparing for the Dying and 'Dying in Honor': Guineans' Perceptions of Palliative Care in Ebola Treatment Centres, 22nd International Congress on Palliative Care, 2-5 October (5 Oct), Montreal, Canada.
Wahoush O, Khater W, Alnajer M, Abu-Siam I, de Laat S, Musoni E, Bezanson K, Nouver E, Bernard C, Elit L, Redwood-Campbell L, Upshur R, Yantzi R, Hunt H, Schwartz L, (2018). Negotiating and Navigating Access to Refugees and Residents While Researching Palliative Care in Humanitarian Crisis Situations: Results from Four Case Studies. 22nd International Congress on Palliative Care, Montreal, 2-5 October (3 Oct).
Nouvet E, Chénier A, Bah-Sow O, Pringle J, Kouyaté S, de Laat S, Hunt M, Bernard C, Redwood-Campbell L, Elit L, Schwartz L, Beyond capacity building: West African voices on the need to recognize and sustain national research capacity in the wake of the 2014-6 Ebola epidemic. Fifth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research, Liverpool, UK, 8-12 October.
2017
de Laat S. (2017). Doing Global Health Research. Global Health Ethics Panel. McMaster University, 7 December.
de Laat S. (2017). Visual Displacement: Lewis Hine's refugee photographs for the American Red Cross, 1918-1919. Mediations. FIMS Workshop and Speakers Series, Western University. March.
2016
de Laat S. (2016). Pictures in Development: Exploring the history and image of CIDA through its visual culture. Conference presentation at The Samaritan State Revisited: Histories of Canadian Aid. Ottawa, Global Affairs Canada, 12-13 December 2016.
de Laat S. (2016). “‘Lamentable Pictures’: Early Humanitarian Photography and Reflections on Its Legacies,” Invited Presentation, Canadian Network on Humanitarian History, Carleton University, 14 March.
Bezanson K, Nouvet E, Hunt M, de Laat S, Elit L, Bernard C, Schwartz L. “The place of palliative care in humanitarian response.” 2016 International Congress on Palliative Care, Montreal. 18-21 October 2016.
Nouvet E, Bezanson K,Bernard C, Elit L, Redwood-Campbell L, de Laat S, Hunt M, Upshur R, Schwartz L. "Supporting end-of-life care for humanitarian healthcare teams.” Canadian Bioethics Society Annual Conference, 25-29 May, 2016 (May 26). Toronto.
Parker M, de Laat S, Aguirre E, Schwartz L. "Exploring experiences with exception to consent in a pediatric resuscitation trial: practical considerations in creating a virtuous learning loop.” Canadian Bioethics Society Annual Conference, 25-29 May, 2016 (May 26). Toronto.
2015
de Laat, S. On a foundation of dignity: Ideas, aesthetics and politics of humanitarian healthcare in the International Committee of the Red Cross Museum. Canadian Bioethics Society Annual Conference, Winnipeg, MB. May 27-30,2015.
de Laat S and Gorin V. "Enigmatic Iconographies of Humanitarian Aid in Africa: Photographs of Western humanitarianism's past to contemplate global humanitarianism's future." Symposium: Learning from the past to shape the future: Lessons from the history of humanitarian action in Africa, Humanitarian Policy Group of the Overseas Development Institute, and Humanitarian Actions Africa. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 25-26, 2015.
2014
de Laat S, “Memories —> Witness: Photographs of unrepresentable suffering after genocide,” International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) Conference, Winnipeg, MB, July 16-19.
de Laat S, “Memories —> Witness: Photographs of unrepresentable suffering,” Shadow of Genocide, Conference, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. March 28-29, 2014.
de Laat S, “A Distinct Kind of Beauty”, Ninth Floor Press’ Time & Place chapbook launch, Hamilton, ON. February 26, 2014.
2013
de Laat S, Neklyudova E, Erstling R. "Genocide and Global Health Research." Canadian Coalition of Global Health Researchers (CCGHR) workshop. McMaster University. October 3, 2013.
de Laat S, Nouvet E, Calain P, Brenan P, and Schwartz L. "Picturing Humanitarian Healthcare: Engage and experiment with a new online portal", Ethics, Aesthetics and Epidemiological Photography Conference, CRASSH, University of Cambridge, UK, September 14, 2013.
de Laat S, "Rwanda 19 years after genocide", CHEPA Lunch-and-learn. McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, March 26, 2013.
2011
de Laat S, “Professional Ethics & Conflicts of Role for HCP in Military/Humanitarian Contexts”, Bryn Williams-Jones, Lisa Schwartz, Matthew Hunt, Christiane Rochon, Sonya de Laat, Ali Okhowat. Military Veterans Health Research Forum, Kingston, Ontario, November 15, 2011.
de Laat S, “Barton Village Photo-transfers,” Culture Days Event, - Artist Talk, The Hamilton Arts Council, 279 King St. E. Hamilton, Ontario, October 2, 2011
2010
Schwartz L, Sinding C, Hunt M, Elit L, Redwood-Campbell L, Adelson N, Luther L, de Laat S, Ranford J. “Ethics in conditions of disaster and deprivation: Intersection of public health and clinical medicine.” Points of Intersection Symposium, Hamilton, Ontario, November 26 - 27, 2010.
Sinding C, Schwartz L, Hunt M, Elit L, Redwood-Campbell L, Adelson N, Ranford J & de Laat S. “Ethical practice in global health: Dilemmas at the front line.” Canadian Conference on Global Health, Ottawa, October 31 - November 3, 2010.
Carroll SL, Strachan PH, de Laat S, Schwartz L, and Arthur HM. “Exploring the decision-making process of patients receiving ICDs for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.” Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, Montreal, October 23-27, 2010.
P.H. Strachan, S.L. Carroll, L. Schwartz, S. de Laat, & H.M. Arthur. “How much longer do you want to live?: End of life issues associated with implantable cardioverter defibrillators” Moderated Poster, ESC Heart Failure Meeting, Berlin, Germany, May 31, 2010.
2009
Strachan PH, Carroll S, Schwartz L, de Laat S, & Arthur HM. “Exploring Uncharted Territory: Mapping the Ethical Terrain in Consent Narratives of Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators”, 20th Annual Canadian Bioethics Society Conference, Hamilton, ON, June 2009.
Carroll S, Strachan PH, Schwartz L, de Laat S, Arthur HM. “Patients’ decisions about ICDs for primary prevention against sudden cardiac death: Information from ‘armchair expert’ ICD veterans”, 9th Annual Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing, Dublin, Ireland, April 2009.
2006
de Laat S, Soanes JH, Miller F, Ahern C. “Genetics in the Blogosphere”, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Annual Research Day, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, September 2006.
2003
de Laat S. “Unpacking Smokers' Identities: Reaction to Health Canada’s Health Warning Labels”, The 4th Annual University of Guelph Sociology and Anthropology Graduate Student Conference, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, March 14th and 15th, 2003.
de Laat S. “Bartering Smoking Identities: Audience Responses to Health Warning Labels”, The Canadian Association of Cultural Studies Conference, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, January 31 and February 1, 2003. Speakers Series, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, February 2003.
Conference posters
de Laat, S, Marshall, D and Murray S. (2019). Mediated Mercy: Visual Histories of Canadian Aid to Refugees and Displaced People Abroad. (Common project of the Canadian Network on Humanitarian History), Social Sciences and Humanities Congress, University of British Columbia, 4 June, Vancouver, BC.
de Laat S, Hunt M, Nouvet E, Wahoush O, Bezanson K, Bernard C, Redwood-Campbell L, Elit L, Khater W, Bah Sow O, Musoni E, Yantzi R, Chénier A, Schwartz L. (2018). Dying in the Margins: Palliative Care, Humanitarian Crises and the Intersection of Global and Local Health Systems, Fifth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research, 8-12 October, Liverpool, UK, ID: 3989
de Laat S. (2000). Picturing Real Time: Photocollage and Aesthetics in Visual Anthropology, Poster presentation for American Anthropological Association Annual General Meeting, San Francisco, California, USA, November.
Journal reviewer
- Journal of International Humanitarian Action
- Health Information and Libraries Journal
Research experience
Co-investigator 2020-2021
- “The beginnings of OXFAM in Canada, 1942-2010: A study in the history of the political culture of humanitarianism.” (2015-2020) Dominique Marshall, Principal Investigator. Carleton University, Protocol #: 10588 12-0473.
- “Triage and COVID-19: Global Preparedness, Socio-cultural considerations, and communication.” (2020) Elysée Nouvet and Lisa Schwartz, Co-Principal Investigators. Co-investigators: S de Laat, L Kapiriri, P Strachan. WHO COVID-19 Social Sciences roadmap working group. World Health Organization. Research Development grant – WHO $19,230.37 CAD; $3350 CAD, plus in-kind contributions, VP Research Western, Western Health Sciences.
Co-Primary Investigator 2019
- “Community-based palliative care in refugee camps: Comparing the evolution, ethics and impacts of two models for alleviating serious health related suffering.” ELRHA’s R2HC seed funding grant, (10,000 GBP). L. Schwartz, Co-Principal Investigator.
Co-Investigator 2016-2019
Humanitarian Health Ethics Research Group, McMaster University
- ELRHA’s R2HC grant: “Isolation, quarantine and research in Ebola management: A comparative study of perceptions between communities, outbreak control teams and researchers”, Elysée Nouvet and Lisa Schwartz, Co-Principal Investigators 19852-19778.
Co-Investigator 2016-2019
Humanitarian Health Ethics Research Group, McMaster University
- ELRHA’s R2HC grant: “Aid when there is ‘nothing left to offer’: A study of ethics & palliative care during international humanitarian action,” Matthew Hunt and Lisa Schwartz, Co-Principal Investigators, July 2015-June 2017. Study number: 19775.
Research Collaborator 2017-1018
Dr. Stefano Tijerina, University of Maine
- Original archival research of Kentucky engineer Maxwell Waide Smith’s photography albums from a 1907 Mexican railway project and his later album recording his involvement as an engineer for the building of the Panama Canal. With funding from the Kentucky Historical Society. Findings published in 2018.
Research Assistant 2017-2018
Dr. Dominique Marshall, Carleton University
Professor and Chair in the Department of History,
Director of the Canadian Network on Humanitarian History.
Funding support from Carleton University’s Migration and Diaspora Studies group.
A draft website of the project can be found here: www.aidhistoryphotography.weebly.com.
- History project on the International Development Photo Library (IDPL), originally part of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA): conducting interviews with former CIDA staff members and commissioned photographers.
Research Assistant 2017
Dr. Matthew Hunt, McGill University
- Produce online training module for Research Ethics Boards:
Research Coordinator (various), McMaster University 2005-2017
- Research: Qualitative, in-depth interviews, data collection, literature reviews, analysis with qualitative data management software (e.g., NVivo), partnership engagement.
- Finances: Budgeting and financial reporting, research ethics board approvals, funding agency reporting, funding agency applications.
- KT: Publication writing, presentations at conferences, web maintenance, social media presence, toolkit development, online education modules.
For Dr. Lisa Schwartz, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact (formerly Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics):
- CIHR Catalyst Grant: "Exception to Consent in Pediatric Resuscitation Research: Exploring the Experiences of Substitute Decision Makers." Melissa Parker and Lisa Schwartz (Co-PIs), 2014-2016. CIHR#EPP 136735
- CIHR Operating Grant: "Ethics and humanitarian healthcare practice and policy (EHHPP) during acute crisis response in low- or middle-income countries" Lisa Schwartz (co-PI), Matthew Hunt, (co-PI), Laurie Elit, and Lynda Redwood-Campbell. September 2011-2015. CIHR#: HLE-258653
- CIHR KT Grant: "Resources and e-resources for ethics in humanitarian health care: from knowledge to practice," Lisa Schwartz (co-PI), Matthew Hunt, (co-PI), Laurie Elit, and Lynda Redwood-Campbell. Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant: Knowledge Translation CIHR Operating Grant - Priority Announcement - Ethics: “Professional Ethics and Conflicts of Role for Healthcare Professionals Working in Military/Humanitarian Contexts,” Bryn Williams-Jones, and Lisa Schwartz (Co-Principal Investigators), Matthew Hunt (Co-I); 2009-2012. CIHR# EOG-107578
- CIHR Operating Grant: “Ethics in conditions of disaster & deprivation: learning from health worker’s narratives,” Lisa Schwartz (PI), Chris Sinding, Lynda Redwood-Campbell, Laurie Elit (Co-Is); 2007-2010. CIHR #200703EOG
For Dr. Patricia Strachan, School of Nursing:
- CIHR Operating Grant: “Exploring Patients’ Decisions Regarding ICDs for Primary Prevention,” Patrician Strachan (PI), Sandra Carroll, Lisa Schwartz, and Heather Arthur (Co-Is). 2008-2009.
For Dr. Fiona Miller, Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics:
- CIHR Operating Grant: “Evaluation and priority setting for genetic services: a case study” Fiona Miller and Rosanna Wekberg (COo-PIs), Joe Clarke, Mita Giacomini, Stephen Meyn, Peter Ray, Sheryl Shuman (Co-Is) 2005-2007.
Research Assistant 2002-2003
Dr. Eva Mackey, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University
- Data collection, summarization and preliminary analysis of public perceptions and debates within news media on a land claim referendum in British Columbia.
Public presentations & dialogues
“Perceptions of Past Pandemics: Cultural histories of people’s reactions to previous pandemics and disease outbreaks.” (11 May 2020) Speakers Series: Expert Perspectives on COVID-19 Semester. McMaster Global Health Office: https://globalhealth.mcmaster.ca/news-and-events/news/2020/exploring-visual-histories-and-public-reactions-pandemics
“Selfies and Other Snapshots: An Introduction to Nineteenth Century Photography.” (8 February 2020). Westfield Heritage Village, Volunteer Workshop. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ehf7tgr76r0eiqj/Selfies%26Snapshots_audio31May2020.mp4?dl=0
Teaching experience—Course instructor
2020
Winter Semester
HTHSCI 3E03 Inquiry III: Human Security and Health
Bachelor of Health Science Program, McMaster University, 17 students.
Teaching experience—Teaching assistant
2018
Research Methods: A Global Health Perspective, GLOBHTH 713, Fall Semester, Global Health Masters Program, McMaster University, ~80 students enrolled.
2012
FYI: Information and its context, MIT-1700, Fall Semester, Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University, ~120 students enrolled.
2003
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, ANT-1A03, Fall Semester, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, ~120 students enrolled.
2002
Peoples of the Pacific, ANT-2P03E, Winter Semester, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, ~70 students enrolled.
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, ANT-1A03, Fall Semester, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, ~120 students enrolled.
2001
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, ANT-1A03, Winter Semester, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, ~120 students enrolled.
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, ANT-1A03, Fall Semester, Dept. of Anthropology, McMaster University, ~120 students enrolled.
Course, lesson and online module development
Vulnerability and Stigma in Global Health Inequity 2019
(In development for Global Health 9003, Western University)
Research in Humanitarian Crises: Resources for Research Ethics Committees 2018
https://humanitarianhealthethics.net/home/hheat/disaster-research-ethics-resource-repository/
Humanitarian Health Ethics Online Module 2015
https://hhetrainingemodule.wordpress.com
Professional development
Professor Hippo-on-Campus: Student Mental Health Education Program for 2020
Educators and Navigators, Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation
Teaching and Learning Foundations Certificate 2019
MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching
McMaster University.
Instructional Skills Workshop Certificate 2019
MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching
McMaster University.
Disaster Health Information Sources for Canadians: The Basics. 2012
Accredited by the Canadian Health Libraries Association, June 12.
Advanced Photoshop and InDesign 2009
Centre for Continuing Education, McMaster University.
Additional employment experience
Recruitment and Admissions Officer 2010-2012
MSc in Global Health, McMaster University
Photo Editor, The Silhouette (student newspaper) 1998-2000
McMaster University
Photography exhibitions and juried shows
"Weaving Photography," Solo exhibition. The Gallery on 4, Central Branch, Hamilton Public Library, Ontario. 4 December 2017 - 4 January 2018.
“Beyond Icons: subjects and stereotypes in humanitarian photography,” Co-curated with Valérie Gorin, sponsored by Overseas Development Institute’s Humanitarian Policy Group, Exhibited at the World Humanitarian Summit, Istanbul, Turkey, 23-24 May 2016.
"Watch this space.” The Gallery on 4, Central Branch, Hamilton Public Library, Ontario. Solo Exhibition. February 2016.
“Pieces of Peace, Accidents of Hope in Press Photography of Violence and Suffering”. Concept and curation by Sonya de Laat. The Gallery on 4, Central Branch, Hamilton Public Library, Ontario. January 7 - February 25, 2015.
Invited exhibit of “Memories —> Witness” at the 20th Commemoration of the 1994 genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in Rwanda. McMaster Innovation Park, May 3, 2014.
“Memories —> Witness”, Solo Exhibition, The Gallery on 4, Central Branch, Hamilton Public Library, Ontario. April 1 - May 16, 2014.
“Heat Transfers of Barton Village,” collaborative with Lynda Joyce-Ott, The Print Studio, James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario. August 2012
“Barton Village Ungentrified Urban Living”, Solo Exhibition, Hamilton Arts Council, Hamilton Ontario, September 2 - October 2, 2011
“Barton Village”, Solo Exhibition, Carnegie Gallery, Dundas, Ontario. July 2-25, 2010
Professional Organizations
Member of the Canadian Network on Humanitarian History (www.aidhistory.ca) 2016—present
Member of the Canadian History Association (CHA) 2017—present
Community Development
Volunteer – historic interpreter 2015—present
Westfield Heritage Village, Rockton, ON
Member of the West Harbour Neighbourhood Association 2005—present