L-R: Christina Murray, Barb Neis and Nora Spinks. Photo: Bojan Furst.

Project Director Dr. Barb Neis and Dr. Christina Murray of UPEI were recently award the 2018 Mirabelli-Glossop Award for Distinguished Contribution by The Vanier Institute of the Family. In a letter of congratulations to Drs. Neis and Murray, Nora Spinks, CEO of The Vanier Institute, congratulated both women for their work as leaders, scholars and collaborators.

Ms. Spinks made particular reference to Dr. Neis’s extraordinary leadership as project director of the On the Move Partnership, noting that “as a result of On the Move, those who employ and support ‘families on the move’ can draw from a rigorous and robust knowledge base to develop evidence-based policies, programs and practices.”

Dr. Murray was congratulated for her work and dedication to the planning and execution of the Families, Work and Mobility Symposium. Ms. Spinks described the symposium, held at UPEI in May 2018, as a highly successful event that created great momentum for future collaboration and “provided a rich, inclusive, positive, welcoming and collaborative learning environment” for everyone involved.

The Mirabelli-Glossop Award for Distinguished Contribution is presented in recognition of exceptional and sustained contributions to the work of The Vanier Institute of the Family. Award winners are recognized for significant contribution to advancing the understanding of families in Canada, in all of their diversity.

Ms. Spinks presented the award to Drs. Neis and Murray at the People, Place and Public Engagement Conference in St. John’s, NL on October 25, 2018.