Dr. Kimberly Lopez

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Kimberly Lopez. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Kimberly J. Lopez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo. Her research critically examines social structures that reinforce differences and marginalization, engaging in community-based qualitative scholarship. She values collaborative, creative engagement in leisure, self-care, and caring work. Kimberly’s work reflects a commitment to social change and transformational inquiry, anchored in intersectionality and critical race feminist theories. She employs narrative methodologies to study how caring labor impacts social processes, particularly among marginalized women. Lopez is dedicated to mentoring graduate students whose interests intersect with leisure, well-being, and wellness. A recognized Emerging Leisure Scholar, she has received awards for her mentorship and contributions to leisure studies. Her teaching interests include therapeutic recreation and advocacy, focusing on inclusion and the intersection of race, gender, and class. She offers courses addressing community action, therapeutic recreation, and advanced qualitative research design.

Research Interests

Awards

#

Faculty of Health Emerging Graduate Mentorship Award

#

Emerging Leisure Scholar Award

Courses

REC 356 – Leading Action Community Change REC 357: Theories Evidence Therapeutic Recreation REC 405: Leisure Well-being REC 455: Advanced Seminar Therapeutic Recreation REC 673/REC 773: Advanced Qualitative Research Design

Requirements for University of Waterloo

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required: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:90
Prerequisites
Honours Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Strong background in Statistics
Application Checklist
  • Transcripts
  • 3 Academic References
  • Statement of Interest
  • Supplementary Information Form
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

Includes fields like Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology.