Dr. David Pedlar, director of research with Veterans Affairs Canada, has been awarded the “Visiting Research Chair in Military Social Work” at the University of Southern California by the prestigious academic organization Fulbright Canada.
In the fall of 2014, Pedlar responded to a call for applications from Fulbright Canada with a submission dealing with the transition from military to civilian life.
Over the next several months, Pedlar will conduct research at the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families, at the University of Southern California School of Social Work in Los Angeles. This facility is dedicated to improving the lives of service members, Veterans, and their families.
It is hoped that Pedlar’s research in this area will lead to the development of valuable tools to improve transition support and help more Veterans and their families have a successful transition to civilian life.
“Dr. Pedlar’s Fulbright Scholarship is a tremendous achievement, which I believe speaks to the quality of research that goes on behind the scenes at Veterans Affairs Canada,” said Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs. “The issues facing Veterans and their families are constantly evolving, and in order to meet these challenges head-on, we require access to the best research and the best researchers.”
“Dr. Pedlar’s work and the relationships he will develop will help us continue to advance our programs and services for Canada’s Veterans,” the minister added.
Pedlar began his career with Veterans Affairs Canada in the late 1980s as an area counsellor in London, Ontario. He was named Director of Research in 2002.
“Fulbright Canada is committed to supporting innovative and impactful research that enriches the lives of citizens in Canada and the United States,” said Michael Hawes, CEO of the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the USA.
He said the appointment of Pedlar is an “ideal example of how innovative applied research can help solve some of our most pressing social and personal challenges.”
This Pedlar’s second affiliation with Fulbright. In the 1990s, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and completed a PhD in Social Welfare at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.