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Usha George

Professor
Phone416-979-5000 ext. 556436
Areas of ExpertiseImmigration and settlement in Canada; Immigration policy in Canada; Race relations; Diversity; Diversity and organizational change

Dr. Usha George is recognized for her expertise in newcomer settlement and integration. She is a professor in the School of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University and former academic director of the Toronto Metropolitan Centre for Immigration and Settlement (TMCIS). Dr. George is the former interim vice-president of research and innovation and the dean of the Faculty of Community Services (2006-2017). In 2015, she was awarded the Errol Aspevig Award for Outstanding Academic Leadership. Dr. George came to Toronto Metropolitan University in 2006 from the Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, where she had been the associate dean since 1999.  She is the past director of the Ontario Metropolis Centre of Excellence for Immigration and Settlement.

Her main areas of teaching, research, and professional activity are social work with diverse communities, and newcomer settlement and integration, with an emphasis on examining policies and programs to ensure newcomers have the supports they need to settle and become contributing members to Canadian society. Her scholarly work has attracted over C$24 million in research grants and contracts. She is well published and is often sought by the media for her views on immigration.

Dr. George immigrated to Canada in 1990 and worked as the executive director of the then-South Asian Family Support Services in Scarborough and as the senior program director of Social Planning Council, Toronto. She has a PhD in Sociology from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria; a MA in Sociology from Loyola University of Chicago; and a MA in Sociology and Social Welfare from the University of Kerala.

 

Leveraging Advanced Digital Technologies for Immigrant Labour Market Integration and (Re)training

Year: 2023

Role: Co-applicant

Funding received: $98M, Share:$160,747

Funded by: Canadian First Research Excellence Fund

Advanced Digital Technologies and Decision Making for Migration

Year: 2023

Role: Co-applicant

Funding received: $98M, Share $160,747

Funded by: Canadian First Research Excellence Fund

Exploring Integration Experiences: A Study of South Asian Immigrant Women in the Greater Toronto Area

Year: 2022

Role: Principal Applicant

Funding received: $174,704

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Insight Grant

Rethinking migration systems through a multi-dimensional approach (MEMO)

Year: 2022

Role: Co-applicant

Funding received: $2,499,450

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Partnership Grant

Increasing Capacity for Refugee Family Reunification in Canada

Year: 2022

Role: Principal Applicant

Funding received: $24,989

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Connection Grant

Strengthening Institutional Responses: Exploring Intersections of Child Protection, Immigration, and Criminal Justice to Better Support Caribbean and Latin American Children and Youth in Canada

Year: 2022

Role: Co-applicant

Funding received: $25,000

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Connection Grant

Arab Refugee Families' Experiences in the Ontario Child Welfare System

Year: 2022

Role: Co-applicant

Funding received: $157,650

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Insight Grant

Urban Sanctuary, Migrant Solidarity and Hospitality in Global Perspective

Year: 2021

Role: Co-applicant

Funding received: $2,499,516

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Partnership Grant

Refugee Resettlement and Integration in Canada: Lived Experience, Lessons Learned, and Promising Practices

Year: 2020

Role: Principal Applicant

Funding received: $24,995

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Connection Grant

A partnership approach to Syrian refugee resettlement in Toronto and Mississauga: the role of social capital

Year: 2018

Role: Principal Applicant

Funding received: $193,482

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Partnership Development Grant

Towards improving equality and engagement: the citizenship experiences of South Asian and Chinese women in Toronto

Year: 2016

Role: Principal Applicant

Funding received: $181,208

Funded by: Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Insight Grant

Refereed Book Chapters:

  • George, U. (2022). Immigrant and Refugee Families in Canada. In P. Albanese (Ed.), Canadian Families Today (5th edition). Oxford University Press.
  • George, U. (2017). Immigration Policy in Canada. Chapter in M. C. Yan, & U. Anucha (Eds.), Working with Immigrants and Refugees: A Handbook for Social Work and Human Services (pp. 43-66). Oxford University Press.
  • George, U. (2016). Teaching as Scholarship: Preparing Students for Professional Practice in Community Services. In J. Gingras, P. Robinson, J. Waddell, & L. Cooper (Eds.), Teaching as Scholarship: Preparing Students for Professional Practice in Community Services (pp. 177-182) (Conclusion). Waterloo, ON: Wilfred Laurier University Press.
  • George, U. & Chaze, F. (2015). Punjabi/Sikhs in Canada: Dimensions of integration. In I. Rajan, V. J. Varghese, & A. K. Nanada (Eds.), Migrations, Mobility and Multiple Affiliation: Punjabis in a Transnational World. (pp. 91-104). Oxford University Press.
  • George, U. (2015). Migration and Social Work. In J. D. Wright (editor-in-chief), International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (2nd edition) (Vol. 15) (pp. 416-421). Oxford: Elsevier.
  • George, U., Chaze, F., & Thomson, M.S. (2014). Immigrant mental health in Canada: A review of barriers and recommendations. In A. Francis, P. La Rosa, L. Sankaran and S.P. Rajeev (Eds.), Social Work Practice in Mental Health: Cross Cultural Perspectives. (pp. 165-278). Mumbai: Allied Publishers.
  • George, U. (2012). Immigration and refugee policy in Canada: Past, present and future. In A. Westhues (Ed.), Canadian Social Policy (5th edition) (pp. 333-354). Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier Press.
  • George, U. (2009). Immigration to Canada. In. U.A. Segal., D. Elliott & N.S. Mayadas. (Eds.), Immigration Worldwide: Policies, Practices and Trends. (pp. 95-111). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • George, U. (2006). Immigration and refugee policy in Canada: Past, present and future. In A. Westhues (Ed.), Canadian Social Policy (4th edition) (pp. 349-374). Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier Press.
  • George, U. (2006). Social Development and Social Capital: conceptual and theoretical frameworks. In M.U. Yan., & J. E. Gao (Ed.), Community Work: A Dialogue of Two Horizons (pp. 82-103). Beijing: Chinese Social Sciences Press.
  • George, U. (2003). Immigration and refugee policy in Canada: Past, present and future. In A. Westhues (Ed.), Canadian Social Policy (3rd edition) (pp. 145-163). Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier Press.
  • George, U. (2002). Community: Concepts and strategies for change. In C. Qineng’s (Ed.), Community development in China and Canada (pp. 187-215). Beijing: The Ethnic Publishing House.
  • George, U., Moffatt, K., Lee, B., & McGrath, S. (2002). Community practice in diverse communities. In C. Qineng (Ed.), Community development in China and Canada (pp. 154-172). Beijing: The Ethnic Publishing House.
  • George, U. (2001). South Asians in Canada. In J. Beegum & B. Hariharan (Eds.), Canadian diaspora: Asia-Pacific immigration (pp. 71-89). St. John's: Creative Books.
  • George, U. (2000). Toward anti-racism in social work in the Canadian context. In A. Calliste & G.J.S. Dei (Eds.), Anti-racist feminism: Critical race and gender studies (pp. 111-122). Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
  • George, U. (1998). Caring and women of colour. In C. Baines, P. Evans, & S. Neysmith (Eds.), Women’s caring: feminist perspectives on social welfare (2nd edition) (pp. 69-83). Toronto: Oxford University Press.
  • George, U. (1992). Theoretical positions on gender roles in society. In L. Olurode (Ed.). Women and social change in Nigeria (pp. 23-32). Lagos: Unity Publishing and Research Company.

Refereed Journal Articles:

  • McAlpine, A.A, Fuller-Thomson, E., George, U., & Kobayashi, K. M. (2022). Self-Reported Health of Working-Age Refugees, Immigrants and the Canadian-Born. Advances in Public Health, 10(22).
  • McAlpine, A. A., George, U., Kobayashi, K., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2021). Physical Health of Older Canadians: Do Intersections Between Immigrant and Refugee Status, Racialized Status, and Socioeconomic Position Matter? The International Journal of Aging and Human Development. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150211065408.
  • McAlpine, A. A., George, U., Kobayashi, K., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2022). Physical Health of Older Canadians: Do Intersections Between Immigrant and Refugee Status, Racialized Status, and Socioeconomic Position Matter?. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 95(3), 326-348. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150211065408
  • George, U., Thomson, M. S., Chaze, F., & Guruge, S. (2015). Immigrant Mental Health, A Public Health Issue: Looking Back and Moving Forward. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 12, 13624-13648, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121013624.
  • Chaze, F., Thomson, M. S., George, U., & Guruge, S. (2015). Role of cultural beliefs, religion and spirituality in mental health service utilization among immigrants in Canada: A scoping review. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 34(3). 87-101. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh2015-01546.
  • Guruge, S., George, U., Thomson, M.S., Chaze, F. (2015). Social support, social conflict, and immigrant women’s mental health: A scoping review. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 22(9), 655-667.
  • George, U. & Chaze, F. (2015). Learning from success: Indo-Canadians and the facilitators of economic integration. Hagira, Israel Journal of Migration, 4, 130-150.
  • Thomson, M.S, Chaze, F, George, U & Guruge, S (2015). Improving immigrant populations’ access to mental health services in Canada: A review of barriers and recommendations. Journal of Immigrant Minority Health, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0175-3.
  • Moffatt, K, Carranza, M, Lee, B, McGrath, S, George, U, & Lagios, A. (2014). Collective Trauma as a Personal/Social Concern for Persons within Marginalized Communities. The International Journal of Community Diversity, 12(4), 61-80.
  • George, U & Chaze, F. (2014). Discrimination at Work: Comparing the experiences of foreign trained and locally trained engineers in Canada. Canadian Ethnic Studies. 46(1), 1-21.
  • Chaze, F. George, U. (2014). The interlocking axis of employment related discrimination for internationally trained engineers in Canada. Canadian Social Work Review, 30(2), 119-137.
  • George, U. Chaze, F., & Fuller Thomson, E. (2012). “Underemployment and Life Satisfaction: A Study of Internationally-Trained Engineers in Ontario, Canada”. Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 407-425.
  • McGrath, S., Moffat, K., George, U., & Lee, B. (2012). Disciplining Community Agencies: The Pressure to Partner. Canadian Social Work Review, 28(1), 5-23.
  • George, U. Chaze, F. (2012). Credential Assessment of Internationally Trained Professionals: How Effective is the Process for the Purposes of securing Employment? Brief Note. Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies, 10(1),124-130.
  • George, U. Chaze, F., & Fuller Thomson, E. (2012). Looking for work but nothing seems to work: The Job Search Strategies of Internationally Trained Engineers in Canada. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 13(3), 303-323.
  • Fuller-Thomson, E., Noack, A., & George, U. (2011). Health Decline among Recent Immigrants to Canada: Findings from a nationally representative Longitudinal Survey. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 102(4), 273-80.
  • George, U. & Chaze, F. (2009). The Role of Social Capital in Settlement: Employment. Affilia, 24(4), 394-405.
  • George, U. & Chaze, F. (2009). Tell me what I need to know: South Asian Women, Social Capital and Settlement. Journal of International Migration and Immigration, 10(3), 265-282.
  • George, U. (2009). Social Policy for Canada. Social Development Issues, 30(3), 1-12.
  • George, U. (2008) Mexican Migration to Canada: Case Study Report. Journal of Immigration and Refugee Studies Special Issue, 6(3), 463-474.
  • McGrath, S., George, U., & Lee, B. Moffatt, K. (2007). Social Justice: The goal of community practice in diverse communities. Social Development Issues, 29 (2), 77-91.

Books:

Technical Reports:

  • George, U. (2020). Will Canada give its foreign essential workers their rights? Pandemic Borders. Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration. Toronto Metropolitan University. Research Report.
  • George, U., & McDermott, T. (2019). Is there mass migration in Canada? Spotlight on migration no. 2019/1. Toronto Metropolitan Centre for Immigration and Settlement (TMCIS). Toronto Metropolitan University. Research Report.
  • McDonald, L., George, U., Cleghorn, L., & Karenova, K. (2008). An Analysis of Second Language Training Programs for Older Adults across Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ontario Region. Research Report.
  • George, U. & Young, J. Immigration to Canada: The Mexican Case. 
  • George, U. (2005). Organizational Change for Diversity. Report to Canadian Heritage.
  • George, U. (2004). Recommendations for the delivery of ISAP services to Mandarin-speaking newcomers from Mainland China. Research Report. Settlement Directorate, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ontario Region.
  • George, U. (2003). Settlement workers in schools project evaluation reports for Toronto (French), Ottawa (English and French), Hamilton, York, Peel and Kitchener-Waterloo Regions (English). Seven Research Reports. Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
  • McDonald, L., George, U., Daciuk, J., Yan, M.C., & Rowan, H. (2001). A study of the settlement-related needs of newly arrived seniors in Ontario. Research Report. Ontario Administration of Settlement and Integration Services (OASIS). Citizenship and Immigration, Canada.
  • George, U. (2000). A needs-based model for settlement services. Newsletter. Chinese Social Workers.