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I am an assistant professor in Community Psychology, in the Psychology Department at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo Campus, Ontario. I am currently finishing my PhD in Community Psychology, where I also received my master’s degree in Community Psychology in 2018. My undergraduate university is Mount Saint Vincent in Halifax Nova Scotia, where, in 2016, I received an honours degree, BA in Psychology. I also attended the Nova Scotia Community College, where I received an honours diploma in Child & Youth Care, October 2010.
As a Two-Spirit L’nuk – that is African Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaq from the territory of Mi’kma’ki, my ongoing research focuses on Afro-Indigenous identity and relationships in the settler nation-state known as Canada. I am interested in a reversal of the colonial gaze; that is assessments of imperialism, colonialism, racism, patriarchy, and capitalism, and how these systems affect the intersectional identities - the lives of Afro-Indigenous peoples and communities. As part of my research program, education and curriculum are front-and-centre, as well as examinations of gendered violence and sex work.
Recent and Ongoing Projects
Co-Applicant: Black & Indigenous Lives, Artificial Intelligence and Data Management in a time of Transition: Implications for Ethics and Self-determination (SSHRC, 2022-)
Co-Applicant: Living Memories: Community-based Storytelling of Indigenous and Black Histories and Realities in Canada (SSHRC, 2022-)
Co-Applicant: Proclaiming Our Stories for Indigenous-Black Community Mental Health (CIHR, 2021-)
Co-Applicant: Proclaiming Our Roots: Sharing the Stories of Indigenous-Black People's Identities for Health and Wellbeing in Canada (CIHR, 2020-2022)
Principal Applicant: Indigenous Gender and Wellness: Idea Fair and Learning Circle (CIHR, 2019)
Co-Applicant: Proclaiming our Roots and Making Connections for the Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous-Black Communities in Canada (AHA Centre, A Project of CAAN Community Engagement, 2018)
I am interested in working with both undergraduate and graduate students in a co-learning and co-teaching environment. I am interested in working with students who have an awareness of critical analyses in dealing with systems of oppression, within liberatory practices and ethical engagement with communities, and who are looking to employ critical Indigenous, Black, anti-racist, and anti-oppression approaches to their research.
Beals, A. M. (2022). Zoo – Decolonization: An alphabet. Tatamagouche Centre.
Beals, A. M., Thomas, D., Fernández, J. S., Wilson, C. L., & Palmer, G. (2021). Resisting the coloniality and colonialism of a westernized community psychology: Toward a critical racial justice praxis. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, 12(2), 1-22.
Wilson, C. L., Singh, A. K., Beals, A. M., Furman, E., Sharma, R., Darko, N. A., Liu, V., & Kivell, N. (2021). Dialogues of disruption: Confronting oppression in the academy. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, 12(3), 1-25.
Beals, A. M. (2020). The Student and the Elder. in:cite journal, 3(rhythm), 10-23.
Beals, A. M., & Wilson, C. L. (2020). Mixed-blood: Indigenous-Black identity in colonial Canada. AlterNative, 16(1) 29-37.
Wilson, C. L., & Beals, A. M. (2019). Proclaiming our Indigenous-Black roots at a time of Truth and Reconciliation. In S. Wilson, A. V. Breen, & L. DuPré (Eds.), Research and reconciliation: Unsettling ways of knowing through Indigenous relationships (pp. 29-45). Canadian Scholars.
Beals, A. M., Fernández, J. S., Jimenez, T. R., Smith, C., & Thomas, D. (2019). Statement in support of Christchurch, New Zealand, in condemnation of white supremacy: Call to action. The Community Psychologist, (52)3, 3-5.
2022: CBC News – City of Kitchener won't remove red paint on Queen Victoria Statue right away
2022: The Cord – Laurier student explores heritage and community through a unique lens
2022: Canadian Psychological Association – Community psychology
2021: CBC Radio – Afro-Indigenous identity: “A marvelous complexity between two identity groups”
2021: Documentary – BLK: An Origin Story
2020: HuffPost – University students want to defund 'dangerous' campus police
2020: CBC News – Indigenous and Black Peoples speak out against policy brutality they see in their communities
2019: Wilfrid Laurier University Spotlight – Laurier doctoral student helping give voice to Indigenous-Black communities in Canada