Assistant Professor

School of Social Work
St. John's College
Room: J-4004
Memorial University 
St. John's, NL

Phone: (709) 864-8147
Email: agoulden@mun.ca 
Website: www.CARESLab.ca
Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Goulden is currently accepting Pathway (MSW) and PhD students for mentorship.

Dr. Ami Goulden (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Memorial University and a registered social worker. Her research and teaching focus on disability-affirming approaches across education and social work practice that support the well-being and autonomy of disabled people across the lifespan, with particular attention to gender-based violence, sexual well-being, and access to services.

Ami’s academic work is informed by clinical social work practice across healthcare and child and family settings. Prior to joining Memorial, she worked in pediatric and adult healthcare programs, supporting individuals and families navigating illness, disability, and systemic inequities. This practice background shapes her teaching, research, and service, keeping them closely connected to real-world practice and the everyday realities of disabled people and their families.

Dr. Goulden has published widely across social work, disability studies, and interdisciplinary fields, with a strong commitment to open-access and publicly engaged scholarship (see Google Scholar). Her work is regularly presented nationally and internationally and includes invited trainings and knowledge mobilization with practitioners and community organizations.

Ami is the founder and director of the Collaborative Anti-ableism Research and Education in Social Work (CARES) Lab, where she works with students from social work and related disciplines on research that advances disability justice and informs practice and education. Her commitment to inclusive learning also extends to her role as founder and coordinator of the Universal Design for Learning Community of Practice NL, which brings educators, community members, and students together to support accessible and inclusive teaching across educational and practice-based settings. Ami also serves as Co-Chair of the Disability Caucus of the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) and welcomes social workers interested in disability justice in social work education to connect and get involved.

Dr. Goulden welcomes invitations for public talks, professional development, and community-based presentations. Media inquiries, speaking requests, and collaboration opportunities are welcome by email.