Supervisor:  Dr. James Gillett

Research Interests:

Benita's Masters thesis explores the physical, structural and social barriers to bicycle riding, with a specific focus on commuting, in Hamilton Ontario. Through conversations with “lay experts” her research seeks to identify what policies and infrastructure currently support cyclists moving throughout the city, as well as understand areas in need of improvement. Her research also explores the subjective identities of Hamilton’s cyclists; with the aim of gaining insight into what role bicycle riding plays in the lives of individuals.

Other areas of interest include:

• Equine assisted therapy conducted with women in crisis

• Feminist perspectives around physical and emotional empowerment

• Global health, maternal health and maternal autonomy in the household

• Challenging notions of hegemony and imperialism in international development