Diane Pesco joined the Department of Education (Child Studies Programs) in July 2008. Her research focuses on the conversational and narrative skills of children of diverse ability and from varied linguistic and cultural backgrounds. She is also interested in the role of socialization and instruction in the strengthening of such skills and in novel tools for their assessment.
Pesco has taught courses on language development, interventions designed for children with delays or difficulties acquiring language, and child development. She has also worked as a speech-language consultant in Montreal and nearby communities, working directly with children and collaborating with teachers and caregivers in supporting children’s oral language and early literacy.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Waterloo, Psychology
PhD McGill University, School of Communication Sciences & Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology)
MSc McGill University, School of Communication Sciences & Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology)
BA University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Women’s Studies
Professional experience
Associate Professor, Concordia University, 2014-present
Assistant Professor, Concordia University, 2008-2013
Lecturer, Université de Montreal, Ecole d’orthophonie; McGill University, First Nations and Inuit Education
Speech-Language Pathologist in schools and other agencies serving children
Research interests
conversational and narrative skills of children of diverse ability and from varied linguistic and cultural backgrounds; the role of socialization and instruction in fostering these skills; and the relationship of oral language and literacy in childhood.
Courses taught
EDUC 211 Child Development
EDUC 303 Children, Families, and Social Policy
EDUC 464 Research Methods in Child Studies
EDUC 490 Exceptional Child I
EDUC 491 Exceptional Child II
EDUC 402 Diversity Issues in Childhood
CHST 603 Seminar: Issues in Child Studies
CHST 612 Language Acquisition and Development
CHST 640 Language Matters
EDUC 808 Reporting Research
