Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, Director of Health and Social Policy
"The opportunity to leverage our interdisciplinary expertise to develop applied, timely and policy-relevant solutions, is both inspiring and humbling. I’m excited to build on the impactful work of the School to continue advancing meaningful, real-world policy change.” - Dr. Zwicker
Health and Social Policy
Canada’s health and social systems are essential to its prosperity and well-being—but too often, they operate in silos, falling short of being truly integrated, accessible, and sustainable. The Policy Centre for Effective Health and Social Systems Policy at the School of Public Policy is a national leader in designing, evaluating, and supporting the delivery of these systems.
Our mission is to improve the lives of Canadians by developing systems-focused policy options that work, not just in theory, but in practice. Through a transdisciplinary approach, we address some of Canada’s most complex challenges and pressing opportunities: supporting youth and adults with disabilities or mental health needs, tackling poverty and homelessness, accessing primary care, and supporting newcomers.
We combine rigorous analysis with direct engagement of those who deliver and rely on health and social systems, collaborating to enhance their effectiveness.
Where other policy areas focus on productivity and economic growth, our emphasis is on shared prosperity: strengthening systems inside and outside government to ensure that every person in Canada, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance, can thrive.
At its core, the Centre’s members ask: How can we build systems that support societal prosperity, health and wellbeing for all Canadians, across all stages of life?
Our Research Areas
Scientific Director, Social Policy and Health: Ronald Kneebone: kneebone@ucalgary.ca
Program Director, Health Policy: Jennifer Zwicker: zwicker1@ucalgary.ca
Associate Director of Research, Health Policy: Myles Leslie: myles.leslie@ucalgary.ca
Research Associates, Social Policy:
Robert Falconer: robert.falconer1@ucalgary.ca
Ali Jadidzadeh: ajadidza@ucalgary.ca
Margarita Wilkins: mgres@ucalgary.ca
Research Associates, Health Policy:
Brittany Finlay: brittany.finlay1@ucalgary.ca
Ken Fyie: kenneth.fyie@ucalgary.ca
Ash Seth: ashish.seth@ucalgary.ca
Research Coordinator, Health Policy:
Christiane Roth: christiane.roth@ucalgary.ca
Research Assistants, Health Policy:
Genevieve Currie: margaretgenevieve.cu@ucalgary.ca
Sean Yang: xiaoyangsean.jia@ucalgary.ca
Tori Wright: victoria.wright1@ucalgary.ca
Postdoctoral Scholars, Health Policy:
Erin McCabe: erin.mccabe@ucalgary.ca
Stephanie Chipeur: stephanie.chipeur1@ucalgary.ca