Ms Van De Keere obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Human Geography and International Studies (2008) at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, Canada, and completed a Masters in International Development Studies (2010) at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. Her thesis “Aging in an Era of Change: Contextualizing the Upcoming Demographic Shift in Marich Pass, North Western Kenya”, which explored how various facets of societal change are shaping the aging experiences of Pokot elders, was profiled in a United Nations Directory of Research on Ageing in Africa.

In addition to research on demography and population aging, Laurel has conducted research on other topics ranging from health and care; immigrant settlement in rural and remote Canadian cities; graffiti as a tool of resistance; environmental sustainability; vertical farming; labour policy; and other topics for the University of Northern British Columbia, Dalhousie University, the Government of Canada, and other employers.

For the past decade, Laurel has facilitated the development of public policy and legislation for the Government of Alberta’s Ministries of Jobs, Skills, Training, and Labour; Enterprise and Advanced Education; Employment and Immigration; Human Services; Health; and Seniors. Laurel currently manages a Strategic Initiatives team, facilitating the development of public policy and legislation for Service Alberta.

Key research / capacity building interests

Research Interests

• Aging and societal change
• Life course theory
• Critical aging theory
• Intergenerational relationships and exchange
• Aging in the rural and remote context
• Economic retirement policy
• Socioeconomic status and access to care
• Rights-based approaches

Key methodological skills

• Qualitative methods: roundtable interviews; focus group discussions; interviews; participant observation; narratives
• Quantitative methods: surveys; secondary data analysis; primary research

Current/planned research

• Currently supporting various public policy and legislative development initiatives for the Government of Alberta, Canada
• Exploring further research opportunities

Current engagement in capacity building

• Currently supporting various public policy and legislative development initiatives for the Government of Alberta, Canada