Professor Dr. Blake Poland

Associate Professor

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Biography

Blake Poland is an Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. He specializes in health geography and community resilience, focusing on ecological determinants of health, health promotion, and social justice. He has a Ph.D. in Health Geography from McMaster University and completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the Centre for Health Promotion, University of Toronto. His research explores the intersection of community development and health, particularly the impact of environmental and social factors on public health outcomes. Poland has been involved in numerous projects related to urban health, community development, and environmental health promotion, often employing qualitative methods and critical social theory. He has received several awards for his contributions to public health education and community health research, including the Green Ribbon Award from the University of Toronto. Notable recent projects include studies on community resilience in the context of climate change and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations. He has also published extensively in leading journals and contributed to various books, emphasizing the need for a systems approach to health and well-being in urban settings.

Research Interests

Community Resilience Community Development Planetary Health Health Promotion Environmental Health Justice Social Movements Arts-Informed Research Dialogical Methods

Experience

Associate Professor

1999-01-01 — Present

University of Toronto • Toronto, ON

Teaching and research in public health and health geography.

Emeritus Associate Professor

2022-01-01 — Present

University of Toronto • Toronto, ON

Retired faculty member with ongoing research activities.

Director

2007-01-01 — 2008-01-01

Collaborative Specialization Community Development, University of Toronto • Toronto, ON

Oversaw community development specialization.

Director

2016-01-01 — 2017-01-01

PhD Program SBHS, DLSPH • Toronto, ON

Managed PhD program in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences.

Awards

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Green Ribbon Award

2019-01-01
#

Oakville Community Spirit Award

2012-01-01
#

Sarah Mazelis Paper Year Award

2010-01-01
#

Kiran van Rijn Annual Award

2007-01-01
#

Robin Badgley Award

2001-01-01

Requirements for University of Toronto

Master Program

Requirements

GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:93

Prerequisites

Appropriate four-year bachelor's degree Background in sociological theory and statistics preferred

Application Checklist

  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of reference
  • Statement of intent
  • Writing sample
  • Curriculum Vitae

Specialization Notes

Department of Sociology