Research Interests

My general research orientation is to use social science theory and principles to better understand and improve people's decision making towards their own health and safety. Since arriving at NSAC, the main focus of my research has been to better understand how people navigate today's complex food system when making their food choices. I have also engaged in research examining the formation of farmers' beliefs and attitudes towards farm health and safety as well as worked on a team developing websites to help women recovering from hysterectomy and C-Section. Prior to coming to NSAC, I conducted research examining injury/disability among seniors and falls prevention.

Food Choice

My primary research involves better understanding how consumers try to make healthy food choices in the context of today's increasingly complex agro-industrial food system. Current research projects in this area include:

• Use of package information in food decision-making
• Consumer perception of Local Foods and the Local Food Movement
• Media presentation of the Buy Local Movement and Fair Trade
• Consumer satisfaction with fresh potatoes

Farm Health and Safety

This research aims to understand how childhood experiences shape beliefs and attitudes toward farm health and safety as well as to explore the influence of the Occupational Health and Safety Act on farmers' safety beliefs, attitudes, and behaviour.

Development of Websites to Aid Patient Recovery from Elective Surgery

This research, jointly undertaken with the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, NS, involves design, implementation, and evaluation of websites tailored to the recovery process of women who have undergone hysterectomy or C-Section. The websites have been successfully piloted in a research setting and are now being implemented to test their feasibility in a clinical setting.

Peer Reviewed Publications

Dukeshire, S., Garbes, R., Kennedy, C., Boudreau, A., Osborne, T. (Forthcoming). Beliefs, attitudes, and propensity to buy locally produced food. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development.

Stiles, D., Dukeshire, S., Goodridge, M., Hobson, D., Paulsen, K., MacLaughlin, J., MacNeil, K., Rangel, C. (Forthcoming). Community identity, rural women, leisure, and community health and well-being: Historical connections, policy corrections. Chapter in Rural Women's Health in Canada (Eds. Belinda Leipert, Belinda Leach, and Wilfreda Thurston).

Sanderson, L., Dukeshire, S., Rangel, C., Garbes, R. (2010). The farm apprentice: Agricultural college students recollections of learning to farm “safely”. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 16(4), 229-247.

Kirkland, S., Raina, P., Wolfson, C., Strople, G., Kits, O., Dukeshire, S., Angus, C., Szala-Meneok K., Uniat, J., Keshavarz, H., Furlini, L., Pelletier, A. (2009). Exploring the acceptability and feasibility of conducting a large longitidunal population-based study in Canada. Canadian Journal on Aging, 28(3), 231-242.

Raina, P., Dukeshire, S., Scanlan, A., Chambers, L., Lindsay, J. (1999). Beyond mortality and hospitalization data: Self-reported injuries among seniors. Canadian Journal on Age and Aging, 18(3), 328-347.

Raina, P., Dukeshire, S., Wong, M., Scanlan, A., Chambers, L., Lindsay, J. (1999). Patterns of self-reported health care use in injured and uninjured older adults. Age and Ageing, 28(3), 316-318.

Abernathy, T., O'Grady, B., Dukeshire, S. (1998). Changes in ETS following anti-smoking legislation. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 89(1), 33-34.

Raina, P., Dukeshire, S., Lindsay, J., Chambers, L. (1998). Chronic conditions and disabilities among seniors: An analysis of population-based Health and Activity Limitation Surveys. Annals of Epidemiology, 8(6), 402-409.

Non-Peer Reviewed Publications

Dukeshire, S., MacPherson, M., Wang-Pruski, G., (2008). Consumers' Perceptions of Buying and Eating Fresh Potatoes. Prepared for the Potato Consumer Research Initiative.

Wang-Pruski, G., Dukeshire, S., MacPherson, M., Rangel, C. (2008). Factors that affect potato consumption in Eastern Canada. Prepared for the Potato Consumer Research Initiative.

Dukeshire, S. (2008). Results of the W.I. buy local challenge mail survey. A report to the Women's Institutes of Nova Scotia.

Dukeshire, S., Lee-Ross, M., Garbes, R. (2007). Evaluation of Let's Talk FASD. A report to the Victorian Order of Nurses Canada.

Dukeshire, S., Garbes, R. (2007). Results of the buying local food survey. A report to the Women's Institutes of Nova Scotia.

Dukeshire, S. (2006). Parenting guidelines for families of children with FAS/FAE: Research report. A report to the Victorian Order of Nurses Canada.

Woodcock, S., Dukeshire, S. (2004). A falls prevention program for Lunenburg and Queens Counties, Nova Scotia. A report to Health Canada/Veterans Affairs Canada.

Scott, V., Dukeshire, S., Gallagher, E. M., Scanlan, A. (2001). A best practices guide for the prevention of falls among seniors living in the community. A report to the Federal/ Provincial/Territorial Committee of Officials for the Ministers Responsible for Seniors.

Scott, V., Dukeshire, S., Gallagher, E. M., Scanlan, A. (2001). An inventory of Canadian programs for the prevention of falls among seniors living in the community. A report to the Federal/Provincial/ Territorial Committee of Officials for the Ministers Responsible for Seniors.

Raina, P., Dukeshire, S., Denton, M.., Chambers, L., Scanlan, A., Gafni, A., French, S., Joshi, A., Rosenthal, C. (1999). Disability related sources of income and expenses: An examination among the elderly in Canada. Program for Research on Social and Economic Dimensions of an Aging Population, McMaster University, Hamilton.

Raina, P., Dukeshire, S., Toivonen, D., Chambers, L., Lindsay, J. (1997). Prevalence, risk factors, and health care utilization for injuries among Canadian seniors: An analysis of the 1994 National Population Health Survey. A report to the Division of Aging-Related Diseases, Cancer Bureau, LCDC, Health Canada, Ottawa.

Raina, P., Dukeshire, S., Lindsay, J., Chambers, L. (1997). The impact of sensory disability among Canadians 55 years and older: An analysis of the 1986 and 1991 Health and Activity Limitation Surveys. A report to the Division of Aging-Related Diseases, Cancer Bureau, LCDC, Health Canada, Ottawa.

Raina, P., Dukeshire, S., Lindsay, J., Chambers, L. (1997). The relationship between socio-economic status and functional independence in Canadians 55 years and older: An analysis of the 1986 and 1991 Health and Activity Limitation Surveys. A report to the Division of Aging-Related Diseases, Cancer Bureau, LCDC, Health Canada, Ottawa.

Raina, P., Dukeshire, S., Lindsay, J. (1996). An analysis of mobility and agility disabilities among the elderly in Canada using the 1986 and 1991 HALS. A report to the Division of Aging-Related Diseases, Cancer Bureau, LCDC, Health Canada, Ottawa.