Dr. Kym Briggs is a Registered Social Worker and interdisciplinary educator with extensive experience teaching in Social Work, Psychology, and Child and Youth Studies. Her work bridges academia, justice services, and community-based mental health, with a focus on advancing mental health equity through anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approaches. Kym is currently working with emergency service organizations across the province, and she is particularly known for her leadership in developing innovative programs and organizational frameworks that respond to the mental health needs of front-line professionals. She brings a collaborative and community-engaged approach to teaching, research, and service.
Education
- EdD, Educational Leadership – Western University
- MEd, Equity and Social Justice – Western University
- BA (Hons), Child and Youth Studies – King's University College at Western University
Teaching
Social Work
- Advancing Racial Equity in Organizations
- Canadian Policy: Responses to Poverty
- Community Social Work Practice
- Equity and Social Justice
- Introduction to Social Work
- Social Work Group Theory and Practice
- Social Work Practice with Communities
Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Advanced Forensic Psychology
- Applied Forensic Psychology
- Psychology and the Law
Child and Youth Studies
- Child Participation in the Justice System
- Childhood, Education Policy, and Law
- Middle Childhood Development
Sociology
- Sociology of Police and Security
Research
Kym’s work is grounded in critical disability studies and explores the intersections of mental health, justice, and culture. Her work integrates police and first responder wellness, anti-oppressive mental health interventions, therapeutic jurisprudence, and the impact of systemic stigma on access to care. She is passionate about community-based research that informs policy, training, and practice in both justice and social service systems.
Selected Publications
Briggs, K. (2024). Beneath the Badge: Exploring the Complexities of Police Culture and Mental Health. The Dissertation in Practice at Western University, 436. Retrieved from https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/oip/436
Shroeder, B. (2025). The Wellness Navigation Project: A mission to normalize mental health in law enforcement. Blue Line Magazine. https://www.blueline.ca/the-wellness-navigation-project-a-mission-to-normalize-mental-health-in-law-enforcement/