Darla Fortune, PhD

My research focuses on practices of inclusion and experiences of belonging, particularly within community leisure spaces. I am particularly interested in conducting community engaged research that works to develop broader perspectives of inclusion and enhances experiences of belonging for individuals who may be at risk of being stigmatized and excluded. Recent research projects have focused on experiences of belonging in community spaces such as art hives, museums and community centres. I am also interested in initiatives that show promise for promoting connection and understanding in order to help set the stage for inclusion and belonging.  

Education

PhD, Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo
MA, Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo
BA, Recreation Administration, University of Alberta

AHSC 300: Supporting Inclusion through Leisure and Therapeutic Recreation

AHSC444: The Older Adult and Leisure

AHSC323: Gender and Leisure

AHSC432: Seminar in Therapeutic Recreation

Past five years:

Genoe, M.R., Fortune, D., & Whyte, C. (2025). Reflections on multimodality: Making the most of Kairotic moments. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement,18 (1), 1-15.

Fortune, D. & Butler, B. (2025). Keeping isolation and loneliness at bay: How community centres can support belonging as we age. Leisure/Loisir. 49(1),1–24.

Fortune, D. (2024). Advancing inclusion as social justice: When museums become spaces of belonging that support diverse learning experiences. In A. Sinner, B. White, & T. Osler (Eds.), Art education in Canadian museums: Practices in action. Intellect Ltd.

Leighton, J., Lopez, K.J., Mair, H. & Fortune, D. (2024). Negotiations of responsibility for community and personal care: Emotional coping, leisure, and restoration for uniformed first responders. Leisure/Loisir.

Fortune, D. & Weisgarber, B. (2023).Negotiating experiences of belonging alongside age-related life transitions. Canadian Journal on Aging/ La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement. 42(4),668-677.

Fortune, D., Leighton, J. & Lopez, K.J. (2023). Re-reading mental illness: A Living Library as a pedagogical tool for unlearning stigma. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 57(2), 116–132.

Kleiber, D., Fortune, D. & Aybar-Damali, B. (2023) Selective social leisure engagement as a pathway to aging well. In M. Stodolska, D. Scott, & T. Liechty (Eds.), Leisure matters: Exploring leisure in a changing world. Sagamore-Venture.

Genoe, R. & Fortune, D. (2023). Leisure as a means of resisting stigma. In K. Gray, C. Russell,& J. Twigg (Eds.), Leisure and everyday life with dementia. Open University Press ‘Reconsidering Dementia’Series.

Byrne, S., Kalbfleisch, L., & Fortune, D. (2022). Neighbourhood associations may promote belonging, but for whom? World Leisure Journal, 64(4),530-550.

Fortune, D. & Leighton, J.(2022): Mental illness as a valued identity: How a leisure initiative promoting connection and understanding sets the stage for inclusion. Leisure Sciences. doi:10.1080/01490400.2022.2058657

Fortune, D., & Dupuis, S.L.(2022). Insights from recreation and leisure practitioners regarding disparities of advancing long-term care culture change. Leisure/Loisir, 46(1), 123-145

Genoe, M.R., Fortune, D., & Whyte, C. (2022). Strategies for maintaining friendship in dementia. Canadian Journal on Aging/ La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement, 41(3), 431-442.

Fortune, D. (2021). Envisioning museums as welcoming spaces for belonging. In T. Glover & E. Sharpe (Eds.).Leisure and its communities: Rethinking mutuality,collective expression and belonging in the new century (pp. 181-191). New York: Routledge.

Fortune, D., Lord, J., Walker, E.,& Froehlich, S. (2021). Enhancing belonging within community leisure settings. Loisir et Société / Society and Leisure, 44(2), 218-232.

Mahut, M.E.& Fortune, D. (2021). Social prescribing and therapeutic recreation: Making the connection. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 55(2),135-149.

Fortune, D., Aubin, G., Timm-Bottos, J.& Hebblethwaite, S. (2021). The art hive as a “frame of belonging” for older adults. Leisure/Loisir, 45(3),459-480.

Fortune, D., Whyte, C., & Genoe, R.(2021). The interplay between leisure, friendship, and dementia. Dementia, 20(6), 2041-2056.

Fortune, D., Arai, S. M., & Lyons,K. J. (2020). Relational possibilities for women leaving prison: Renewed hope for inclusion and belonging. Contemporary Justice Review, 23(1), 3-21.

Yuen, F.C., & Fortune, D. (2020). Leisure, art, and advocacy: Opportunities for contentious dialogue and action. Leisure Sciences, 42 (5-6), 570-588.