Victoria Frances Burns, BA, BSW, MSW, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Urban Studies, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Montréal, QC, CanadaPhD, Social Work, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
Master of Social Work (MSW), McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology (BA Hons), University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
Areas of Research
My work advances a place-based approach to addiction recovery, examining how physical, social, institutional, and symbolic environments influence recovery opportunities and outcomes. Through the concept of “recovering in place,” I explore how recovery is shaped by where people live, study, work, connect, and access support. This research considers recovery-supportive environments, therapeutic landscapes, housing, campuses, communities, recovery capital, and the ways that place can either promote belonging and connection or reinforce exclusion and marginalization.
My research examines mental health, substance use, and recovery within post-secondary education, with a particular focus on creating recovery-supportive campuses. I study the development, implementation, and evaluation of campus recovery programs, peer support initiatives, recovery-oriented policies, and institutional practices that promote wellbeing, belonging, and academic success. My work aims to reduce stigma, improve access to recovery supports, and advance evidence-informed approaches that enable students, faculty, and staff to thrive in higher education.
My research examines how stigma shapes the experiences of people in recovery from substance use and other addictions, particularly within post-secondary, professional, and institutional settings. I am interested in decisions about disclosure, the risks and benefits of being visible about one’s recovery, and the ways that recovery identities are negotiated over time. This work also explores how lived-experience disclosure can challenge stigma, foster belonging, and contribute to organizational and cultural change.
Working with this supervisor
Working with this Supervisor
I welcome inquiries from prospective graduate students who are passionate about advancing the field of recovery science and improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use and addiction.
As a person in long-term recovery myself, I deeply value the expertise that comes from lived and living experience and welcome students who bring diverse perspectives to their research. I am particularly interested in working with students who are committed to community-based and participatory approaches, excited by qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, and motivated to ask meaningful questions that matter to the people and communities they serve.
My supervision style is collaborative, supportive, and action-oriented. I enjoy mentoring students who want to produce rigorous scholarship while also creating impact beyond academia through partnerships, policy, practice, knowledge mobilization, and systems change. Whether your goal is to advance recovery-friendly campuses and workplaces, strengthen recovery-oriented systems of care, reduce stigma, or contribute to new approaches in recovery science, I encourage research that is innovative, engaged, and capable of making a tangible difference.
I encourage students to develop as independent scholars and leaders. Graduate students working with me are expected to apply for internal and external scholarships and research funding (e.g., Tri-Agency awards) throughout their programs. I provide mentorship and feedback on funding applications, grant writing, conference presentations, publications, and knowledge mobilization to help students build competitive academic and professional portfolios.