Roanne Thomas

Professor Roanne Thomas and her research teams use innovative tools, such as photovoice (storytelling and photography) and other visual arts, including mixed media, to help people to improve their sense of well-being and to support themselves through life’s transitions.

In 2008, she received a Distinguished Researcher Award (University of Saskatchewan) for her work with people who had experienced cancer, and from 2005 to 2010, she received a CIHR New Investigator Award. From 2011 to 2021, Professor Thomas held the Canada Research Chair in Creative Practices and Well-being.

Professor Thomas is accepting new students for thesis supervision.

• disability studies
• chronic illness
• well-being
• qualitative methods
• arts-based inquiry

• Thomas, R., Egan, M., Gifford, W., Grassau, P., King, J., Rheault, A.*, Boulanger, J.* (2021). Toward new understandings of a good life for people experiencing impairment: An art- and community-based research protocol. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211051941
• Grassau, P., Stinchcombe, A., Thomas, R. & Wright, D. K. (2021). Centering sexual and gender diversity within Compassionate Communities: insights from a community network of LGBTQ2S+ older adults. Palliative Care and Social Practice, 15. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524211042630
• Thomas, R., Novy, C.*, Gifford, W., Grandpierre, V.*, Poudrier, J., Thomas, O.* (2019) Exploring the intersections of storytelling and visual arts: Indigenous peoples' experiences of cancer, Storytelling Self Society, 15(1) https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/storytelling/vol15/iss1/5/
• Saunders, S.*, Hammond, C.*, Thomas, R., (2019), Exploring gender-related experiences of cancer survivors through creative arts: A scoping review, Qualitative Health Research, 29(1), 135-148. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732318771870
• Hamilton, R., Thomas, R., Anisimowicz, Y.*, Piers, M.*, Matte, R.* (2018). A critical analysis of the delivery of a psychosocial workshop for cancer survivors with lymphedema. The Qualitative Report. 23 (10) Article 13, 2586-2602 https://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol23/iss10/20
• Thomas, R., Gifford, W., Hammond, C*. (May 2017). Writing toward well-being: A qualitative study with breast cancer survivors. Canadian Oncology of Nursing Journal, 27(2), 178-185
• Thomas, R., Hamilton, R. (2016). Composing hope through collage: A community-based intervention for cancer survivors living with lymphedema. Health Psychology Open, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2055102916657674
• Thomas-MacLean, R. (2010) Unraveling the ribbon: Learning about breast cancer through poetic transcription. Canadian Woman Studies, 28, (2,3), 166-171
• Roanne Thomas, Wendy Gifford, Jennifer Poudrier, Carolyn Brooks, Ryan Hamilton, Tracy Scott, Doris Warner, Chad Hammond* (2016) Finding strength together: First Nations and M√©tis people talk about their experiences with cancer. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdMgNpkq7LPFREe5DMoASVg
• Roanne Thomas, Ryan Hamilton, Tricia Morrison (Loss and Hope Pilot Team), Rozo Productions (producer) (2015). Learning to live with lymphedema: A new me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMwwbObIpg8
• Elizabeth Quinlan, Roanne Thomas, Shahid Ahmed, Pam Fichtner, Linda McMullen, Janice Block (content specialists), Juxtapose Productions (producer). (2014). The New Normal: Living with Lymphedema after Breast Cancer. Video 30 min. Peer-review: CES4Health http://www.ces4health.info/find-products/view-product.aspx?code=DLFLZP5W