Jessica is a Professor in the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria. She has developed and taught courses about early childhood health and development and research methods at universities in Canada, the United States, and several countries in Asia. She has conducted program evaluations for numerous international non-government organizations. Her research is often partnered with communities, and focuses on determinants of marginalization and promising practices for inclusion of minoritized and Indigenous children and families. She has published over 100 peer reviewed articles, book chapters and books. Her research has led to policy reforms in several countries and has been recognized by a number of awards in Canada and internationally.