Dr. Malhi standing next to hibiscus flowering plant

Dr. Rebecca Malhi

Pronouns: She/her

Positions

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Faculty of Arts , Department of Psychology

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Community Health Sciences

Contact information

Web presence

Phone number

n/a: n/a

Background

Credentials

Certificate of Professional Writing Specializing in Business and Technical Writing, University of Calgary Continuing Education, 2022

Educational Background

BSc Psychology, University of Calgary, 2000

Msc Psychology, University of Calgary, 2003

PhD Psychology, University of Calgary, 2009

Research

Areas of Research

Social psychology/medical education

My research interests are eclectic, but focus on various areas of social psychology and medical education. 

Recent examples of my research include:

* The Living Library project, which I developed from my original idea through publication of results. A Living Library is a structured event that brings people from different groups together. This event simulates the format of a customary library, with ‘Readers’ borrowing ‘Books’, who are human volunteers sharing their lived experiences and perspectives. The Living Library was based on the Human Library concept, a strategy to challenge prejudice through conversation and personal connection, but we repurposed it for a medical education context. To date, we have conducted three Living Library events for pre-medical and undergraduate medical students. These highly successful events were designed to provide learners with information and inspiration, particularly about rural medicine.

 

* Strong focus on ethnic and cultural issues, such as ethnic identity, interracial relationships, and health disparities for vulnerable populations

 

* Supporting undergraduate students with research projects, such as:

  • Improving patient health literacy to facilitate decision-making: A scoping review
  • Creating educational resources for patients to address current gaps in their understanding of health information
  • Body image during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Communication between same-sex friends during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Mood and anxiety symptoms following pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A scoping review (article published)
  • Vaping behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Courses

Course number Course title Semester
Psyc 504 Research in Psychology Fall 2022- Winter 2023
Psyc 504 Research in Psychology Fall 2020- Winter 2021
Psyc 443 Interpersonal Relationships Winter 2020
Psyc 443 Interpersonal Relationships Winter 2019
Psyc 443 Interpersonal Relationships Fall 2018

Awards

  • Nominated for Undergraduate Research Supervision Award, Department of Psychology. 2021

Publications

  • Challenges in Communicating with Ethnically Diverse Populations: The Role of Health Literacy. (Chapter 41). Thomas, B.C., & Malhi, R.L. In Handbook of Communication in Oncology and Palliative Care (2nd Edition). (David Kissane, Barry Bultz, Phyllis Butow, Carma Bylund, Simon Noble, and Susie Wilkinson, Editors). Oxford University Press: Oxford, U.K.. (2017)