2020 Dana Brynelsen Educational Bursary

The Early Childhood Education program at the UBC Faculty of Education is pleased to congratulate PhD candidate Áurea Vericat Rocha (Cross-Faculty Inquiry) on being the 2020 recipient of the Dana Brynelsen Educational Bursary for her research on Indigenous communities, improving outcomes for young children and their families, and the importance of improving professional development options for those who work with them.

The Dana Brynelsen Educational Bursary is awarded every two years at the Early Years Conference to a graduate student in BC who is making a difference in the field of early childhood intervention.

Prior to her retirement, Dana Brynelsen was very active in the field in BC for many years. In her role as Provincial Advisor for the Infant Development Program of BC (from 1975 until 2009), Dana provided support in the development of Infant Programs and Aboriginal Infant Development Programs in communities across BC. At UBC, Dana collaborated to establish the first Certificate and Diploma in Infant Development program in Canada, and was involved in the development of the York Certificate in Infant Mental Health and the Family Resource Program Certificate. On her retirement, colleagues created the bursary in Dana’s name.

The presentation was held on Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Early Years Conference at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver.

Congratulations, Áurea!