Meet the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work's four newest faculty members

July 1, 2026

The Faculty of Social Work welcomed four new tenure-track faculty members on July 1 to support our student experience and research priorities.

Get to know these researchers and their areas of expertise, and join us in welcoming our newest faculty members:

Dr. Patrick Ladouceur, PhD, MSW, RSW, Assistant Professor

Bachelor of Social Work Program

Patrick Ladouceur (he/him) is a proud Franco-Ontarian and is very excited to be joining Wilfrid Laurier University (Brantford) as Assistant Professor in Social Work. His research and teaching interests include social justice direct and indirect practice in social work, social policy, housing, domestic violence and social movements, with a particular focus on community action and Francophone minority communities.

Before joining Laurier, Patrick served as an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Laurentian University (Sudbury, ON). He also brings more than a decade of experience in community development and in provincial and federal public service across Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Québec, providing a strong practice perspective to his teaching and research. Patrick remains actively involved in community organizations at both the local and national levels, contributes to social work education through his role as Chair of the Francophone Committee of the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), and participates in collaborative research initiatives that seek to advance social justice. 

Jeff Walsh, MSW, RSW, Lecturer

Bachelor of Social Work Program

Jeff Walsh, MSW, RSW, (he/him/they/them) is a queer social worker with over 14 years of healthcare experience in the areas of aging, substance use, and mental health. His relationally centred research explores inclusive hospice practices and built environments for diverse older people experiencing homelessness. He is excited to contribute to the Faculty of Social Work and Laurier community through his teaching, mentorship, and community-led research focused on critical aging and end-of-life, healthcare, and direct social work practice.

Dr. Ruth Green, PhD, MSW, Associate Professor

Indigenous Field of Study Program

Dr. Ruth Green (she/her) is a Haudenosaunee urban Indigequeer woman (Kanienkehaka Turtle Clan from Six Nations) who identifies as an activist-turned-accidental academic. She is joining WLU after 12 years at York, where she has been chair of the Indigenous Research Ethics Board, special advisor to the President and the Dean on Indigenous Initiatives and Director of the School of Social Work. She is a board member of Pride Toronto and a Community Council member with Aboriginal Legal Services

Dr. Sandy Rao, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor

Master of Social Work Program

I study why access to mental health care succeeds for some young adults and fails for others. My research develops new ways of understanding how the conditions surrounding care shape identity, disability, and life trajectories for equity-deserving young adults by bringing together critical social theory, participatory research, and health services research. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, provincial health system leadership, and research, I develop practical approaches that strengthen mental health systems and improves access to care.

Learn more about our faculty members by exploring our Faculty Page