Ali Solhi
Laurier University Liaison

Ali is currently pursuing a PhD in Health & Society at McMaster University, drawing on his educational background with a B.S. in Psychology, an M.A. in Child & Youth Study, and a diploma in Film Production from Toronto Film School. His research focuses on deepening understanding and fostering improvements in community health and wellbeing. 

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Professionally, Ali has gained extensive experience in program and partnership development through his roles at the Kitchener and Hamilton Public Libraries. In Kitchener, his work was pivotal in establishing and nurturing community partnerships, directly contributing to the planning and execution of diverse programs that integrated innovative program development with robust community engagement strategies. At Hamilton, as a Researcher in Residence, Ali led research aimed at enhancing social capital among immigrants and newcomers. This work utilized his skills in study design, data analysis, and partnership development. The goal was to demonstrate how public libraries can foster social connections and a sense of belonging among immigrants, thereby tailoring library services to meet the diverse needs of the community. 

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Currently serving as the Research Partnerships Officer at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ali continues to utilize his skills in fostering strategic collaborations between academic researchers and community stakeholders across all Laurier University campuses in Brantford, Waterloo, Kitchener, and Milton. In this role, he works closely with the Laurier Hub for Community Solutions and proactively engages with community organizations to develop meaningful research relationships. He actively seeks out funding opportunities through Tri-Agencies, Ontario Centre of Innovation, Mitacs, as well as private funding sources. Ali ensures that the partnerships he fosters are both impactful and sustainable.