Dr. Elizabeth (Bessa) Whitmore
Lifetime Contribution
Dr. Elizabeth (Bessa) Whitmore is Professor Emerita at Carleton University’s School of Social Work, where she taught from 1991 to 2005. A leader in participatory research and evaluation, she is the author or co-author of more than a dozen academic articles and the editor or co-editor of four books. She has presented widely at national and international conferences, served on editorial boards, and remains active in advisory roles. She is a past president of the North American and Caribbean Association of Schools of Social Work and recipient of the Canadian Evaluation Society award for her contributions to evaluation in Canada.
Beyond academia, Dr. Whitmore has made extraordinary contributions to the Ottawa community, applying her expertise to grassroots initiatives and community organizations. She has frequently provided pro bono support for participatory research and evaluation projects, helping to elevate the voices of marginalized communities. Notably, she worked with:
- the Downtown Services and Drop In (Youth Services Bureau) (formerly the Besserer St. Drop In) where she worked with a team of youth to conduct an evaluation of their services.
- the Banking Accessibility Working Group to evaluate a pilot project for customized banking options for people living with mental illness, resulting in measurable improvements in participants’ financial stability and documented a shift in bank staff attitudes toward greater empathy and understanding
Dr. Whitmore was a founding member of Ottawa’s Women’s Health Project in the 1990s, responding to sexual violence in global conflict zones such as the former Yugoslavia and Somalia. She also contributed to projects addressing sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including organizing the 2012 “Breaking the Silence” initiative in collaboration with the National Capital Peace Council.
She has served on the boards of the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre and United Way/Centraide Ottawa, and has contributed to advisory committees for the City of Ottawa and the Social Planning Council. In 2014, she co-founded the Gotta Go! campaign, which successfully lobbied for public toilets in Ottawa’s light rail transit stations—an essential accessibility and dignity issue for thousands of residents.
A dedicated advocate for justice, Bessa has been a key member of the Hassan Diab Support Committee since 2008, helping organize national advocacy efforts that contributed to his 2018 release from unjust imprisonment in France.
She has also worked closely with the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, evaluating their “Violence Against Women: Health and Justice” project and supporting several interfaith, feminist, and equity-focused initiatives. In 2017, she secured funding and produced a documentary honouring CCMW’s former executive director and Order of Canada recipient Alia Hogben.
Bessa continues to be a mentor and activist, hosting students, supporting local initiatives, and encouraging civic engagement. Her lifetime of service reflects a profound commitment to social justice, sustainability, and community well-being.
