Aniko Varpalotai, PhD Professor Faculty of Education

My current research interests include: health and rural education from Canadian and international perspectives, as well as gender issues in education. I have completed research projects in these areas in rural Southwestern Ontario, Wales, and most recently in rural Tanzania.

I graduated with a BA/BPHE in Physical and Health Education from Queen’s University, where I also received my MA in the Sociology of Sport. My PhD was completed at OISE/UofT in the Sociology of Education.

My teaching areas include: Intermediate/Senior Health Education, and Teaching in Rural and Remote Schools and Communities, in the Preservice Program. In the Graduate Program I teach: Introduction to Gender Issues in Education (9624); Diverse Traditions in Education Research (9678); and Theory and Practice in Health and Movement Education (9582). I am also an Affiliate Member of the Department of Women’s Studies and Feminist Research; and a member of the graduate program of the School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences.

Recent Publications:

Books edited:

Singleton, E., & Varpalotai A. (2006). Stones in the Sneaker: Active theory for secondary school physical and health educators. London, ON: The Althouse Press.

Papers in refereed journals:

Varpalotai, A., & Singleton, E. (2008). “To establish habits of health:” Health Education and Advice for Girls – Past, Present and Future. Atlantis, 32(2), 99-111.

Varpalotai, A., & Thomas, M. (2007). The perceptions of stakeholders in Canada and Wales on health education in rural communities: A comparative study. Invited submission to Education in Rural Australia Journal (Special International Issue), 17(1), pp. 59-69.

Varpalotai, A. (2005). “A web of support” for rural girls – A school/community health care partnership, in Special Issue of Canadian Woman Studies, ‘Rural Women in Canada’. 24(4), pp. 53-159.

Varpalotai, A. (2004). Happy Stories and Haunting Memories….Women Teaching in Rural Schools in Twentieth Century Ontario. Oral History Forum, 24, 30-45.

Varpalotai, A. (2003). Education in rural communities - Schools and beyond. Oral History Forum 23, 113-127.

Chapters in Books:

Varpalotai, A. & Leipert, B. (2006). “Rural schools/rural communities: Partnerships between Physical and Health Educators and Public Health Nurses." In Singleton E. & Varpalotai, A. (Eds.), Stones in the Sneaker: Active theory for secondary school physical and health educators (pp. 203-222). London, ON: The Althouse Press. (50%)

Varpalotai, A. (2005). “Rural Teacher/Farm Wife: ‘Women’s work is never done.’ In Coulter, R., & Harper, H. (Eds.), History is Hers: Women Educators in Twentieth–Century Ontario (pp. 33-54). Calgary, AB: Detselig Enterprises.

Singleton E. & Varpalotai, A. (2006). “Preface.” In Singleton, E., & Varpalotai, A. (Eds.), Stones in the Sneaker: Active theory for secondary school physical and health educators (pp. ix-xviii). London, ON: The Althouse Press. (50%)

Book Reviews:

Varpalotai, A. (2008). Learning to Leave: The Irony of Schooling in a Coastal Community, M. Corbett, Fernwood Publishing, 2007. Our Schools / Our Selves, Winter 2008, 17(2), (#90), 157-162.

Research:

1. Work in progress: international research project in Tanzania: The health & education of Maasai girls and women in rural Tanzania

2. International research project in Wales (Summer 2006): A comparative Study of Rural and Health Education: Canada & Wales (see Varpalotai & Thomas, 2007), other publications in progress; return visit of colleague Dr. Malcolm Thomas from Wales to Canada, in spring 2007. (Promoting a framework for healthy schools—in progress)

3. Series of case studies of rural education in Elgin County, Ontario; most recent: West Elgin Secondary School Wellness Centre Survey, Final Report (with M. Thomas), March 2009.

4. Participation in SSHRC funded research project: The woman teacher in 20th Century Ontario (2000-2003)

5. PhD dissertation: "Sport, Gender and the Hidden Curriculum in Leisure: A Case Study of Adolescent Girls" (OISE/UT, 1987).