Dr. Riham Al-Saadi

Scholarly Interests

• Acculturation, adjustment, and settlement
• Immigrant and refugee populations
• Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality
• Application of Principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
• Arab immigrants and refugees’ acculturation
• Immigrant emerging adults and youth identity development
• Immigrants and refugees’ social and emotional competence

Educational Background

• Ph.D., University of Windsor, 2023
• M.S.W., University of Windsor, 2013
• BSc. Behaviour, Cognition & Neuroscience, University of Windsor, 2010

Biography

Dr. Riham Al-Saadi is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work, University of Windsor.  She is a Palestinian Canadian, a descendant of Al-Saadi family who has refuged to Lebanon in 1948, carrying with her the life-long refugee stories and multiple settlements she has experienced in her journey. Dr. Al-Saadi completed all her studies at the University of Windsor. She holds a BSc. in Behaviour, Cognition, & Neuroscience; a Master and Ph.D. degrees in Social Work. Her doctoral dissertation focused on immigrant and refugees’ acculturation process, and her positionality as a Palestinian with immigrant and refuge milestones. Dr. Al-Saadi was a Sessional Instructor at the School of Social Work since 2016 teaching Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. courses until her appointment as a faculty member. She continues to be a frequent guest lecturer both at the University and in the community on topics focusing on the immigrant, refugee, and Arab immigrant experiences. Her research portfolio includes collaborations with faculty from both the School of Social Work and department of Psychology where she explores studies of immigrant and refugee populations, Arabs’ experiences in Canada and the United States, Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality. These topics and more continue to shape Dr. Al-Saadi’s research interests. Dr. Al-Saadi has also been a practitioner for over 10 years working in private practice (Transparency Counselling Services), direct mental health supports to individuals and families, working with immigrant and refugee populations, as well as in palliative care. Dr. Al-Saadi continues to serve on multiple professional and academic committees, enabling her to respond to diverse populations and advocate for the enhancement of social justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.  

Awards 

2005    University of Windsor Entrance Scholarship; $1000/year

2014    University of Windsor Doctoral Scholarship; $6000/year

2020    University of Windsor Research Internship Award; $6000

2021    Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood (SSEA) Small Grants Program; $1000 USD

2023   University Diversity, Indigeneity, and Anti-Racism Professional Development Fund; $5000 

Professional Affiliations

2021-Present    Ontario Association of Social Workers Local Engagement Network (OASW LEN)

2020-Present    Windsor Essex Local Immigration Partnership (WE LIP) Executive Committee

2013-Present    Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)

2013-Present    Member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)

PUBLICATIONS

Peer Reviewed Articles

Karki, K. K., Shrestha, A., Jain, R., & Al-Saadi, R. (2024). Mental Health and Well-being of Healthcare Professionals Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 14(2), 268-281. DOI: 

https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v14i2.55959

Kuo, B. C. H., Granemann, L., Najibzadeh, A., Al-Saadi, R., Dali, M., & Alsmoudi, B. (2020). Examining Post-Migration Social Determinants as Predictors of Mental and Physical Health of Recent Syrian Refugees in Canada: Implications for Counselling, Practice, and Research. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 54(4), 778–802. https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v54i4.68881

Book Chapters

Hakim-Larson, J., Thompson, J., Al-Saadi, R. (2023). Developmental Issues in Arab Americans. In: Nassar, S.C., Ajrouch, K.J., Dallo, F.J., Hakim-Larson, J. (eds) Biopsychosocial Perspectives on Arab Americans. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28360-4_7

Oda, A., Adnan A. M. Al-Saadi, R., Arya, N., Awwad, M., Hajjar, O., Hanley, J., Hynie, M.,   Ives, N., Jamil, R., Khalaf, M., Khyar, R., Kuo, B. C. H., Massijeh, M., Mohammad, & Sherrell, K. (2022). Ethical challenges of conducting longitudinal Community based research with refugees: Reflections from peer researchers. In K. Grabska & C. R. Clark-Kazak & (Ed.) (p. 29-55). Documenting displacement: Questioning methodological boundaries in forced migration research. The McGill Queen's University Press.  

AlSaadi, R. 2019). Facilitative Factors and Impediments to Newcomer Youth’s Initial Integration Milestones: The Arab Newcomer Youth Experience. In Y. Daniel (Ed.), Tikkun Beyond Borders: Connecting Youth Voices, Leading Change (p. 242-261). University of Windsor Digital Publishing, DOI: https://doi.org/10.22329/digital-press.156

Acknowledgements 

Acknowledged for contributing as a Research Assistant for the Arab focus group for the study: Transition to Kindergarten: Experiences of Teachers and Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. IWK Health Sciences Centre, June 2011

Select Presentations & Invited Lectures 

Al-Saadi, R. (2024, July). Anti-Immigrant Racism Experiences - Embracing Your Cultural Identity & Promoting Antiracism. Odette School of Business, University of Windsor, Windsor ON

Al-Saadi, R. (2024, June). Working with Immigrant and Refugee Populations: Social Work Insights. Ongoing Invited Speaker at the School of Social Work Field Integration Courses since 2022, University of  Windsor, Windsor ON

Al-Saadi, R. (2023, January). Basics of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: What Do We Know So Far? Speaker as part of role at the Windsor Essex Local Immigration Partnership (WE LIP), Windsor ON, Virtual Presentation.

Al-Saadi, R. (2022, October). Intersectional Look at Domestic Violence: Providing Culturally Sensitive Support to Immigrant & Refugee Victims. Invited Speaker at the Take Back the Night Event, Roxdale Women’s Center, Virtual Presentation.

Al-Saadi, R. & Park, W. (2021, June). First Generation Recent Arab Immigrant Emerging Adults’ Perspectives on Acculturation Experiences and Canadian Society’s Role in Fostering Equitable Participation (2021). Poster presented at the 10th Conference on Emerging Adulthood, Virtual Presentation.

Al-Saadi, R. (2021, June). First Generation Recent Arab Immigrant Emerging Adults’ Perspectives on Acculturation Experiences and Canadian Society’s Role in Fostering Equitable Participation. Oral presentation delivered at the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 52 Symposium, Virtual Presentation.

Al-Saadi, R. & Park, W. (2019, June). Understanding Syrian Newcomers' Acculturation: Facilitative Factors and Impediments to Social and Emotional Wellbeing. Poster presented at the annual Canadian Association for Social Work Education Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. 

Kuo, B. C. H., Granemann, G., Najibzadeh, A., Al-Saadi, R., Dali, M., & Alsmoudi, B. (2019). Syrian refugees in Windsor, Canada: Social relationship, general health, and mental health. An oral presentation delivered at the Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies Conference, York University,  Toronto, Ontario.

Al-Saadi, R. (2018, November). Understanding Syrian Newcomers' Acculturation: Facilitative Factors and Impediments to Social and Emotional Wellbeing. Presented at the Ontario Council of  Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) Executive Directors Forum. Toronto, ON

Al-Saadi, R., Hakim-Larson, J., Johnson, E., & Menna, R. (2016, June). Perceived Parental  Acculturation and Youth in Canada: Influences on Ethnic Identity Development. Poster presented at the annual Canadian Psychological Association conference, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC.

Select Courses Taught

In the Media