Dr. Michael Ungar
Michael Ungar is a leading researcher in social and psychological resilience. He is the Principal Investigator for the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University in Halifax, where he has been a professor in the School of Social Work since 2001. Dr. Ungar earned his MSW from McGill University in 1988 and his Ph.D. in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1995.
A recognized leader in his field, Dr. Ungar received the Canadian Association of Social Workers National Distinguished Service Award in 2012 and the Distinguished Service Award for Nova Scotia in 2010.
He serves as a board member of the American Family Therapy Academy, a Clinical Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and has been a member of the Board of Examiners for the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers since 2002.
“We simply can no longer persist in believing that children's pathways to health are dysfunctional when our children behave in ways that trouble us. We must listen closely to our children's accounts of their lives and their elaborate negotiations for opportunities to see themselves as people who belong, are trustworthy, competent and caring. We must embrace their risk-taking and responsibility-seeking behaviours as normal expressions of their search for an adult-like status. We must stand beside our children and provide them the advantage that comes from exposure to the right amount of risk and responsibility.” –Dr. Michael Ungar
More to the story
Dr. Michael Ungar is the founder and Director of the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University, where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Child, Family, and Community Resilience. Recognized as the world’s leading Social Work scholar in 2022, Dr. Ungar’s pioneering research as a family therapist and resilience expert has shaped global understanding of human development and organizational dynamics. His work focuses on the resilience of marginalized children, families, and adults facing mental health challenges at home and in the workplace.
Beyond academia, Dr. Ungar consults for international NGOs like the Red Cross and Save the Children, as well as government agencies across more than a dozen countries. His research has also influenced the HR strategies and corporate social responsibility initiatives of Fortune 500 companies, including Unilever, DHL, and Cigna.
A leading voice in resilience theory, Dr. Ungar advocates for resilience as a dynamic, negotiated process that enhances both individual and institutional adaptability during crises. His insights have been widely adopted by organizations worldwide. He is the author of 17 books and over 250 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. His blog, Nurturing Resilience, is featured on Psychology Today’s website.
