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Faculty & Staff

Emmie Henderson-Dekort, PhD

Emmie Henderson-Dekort, PhD

Academic title: Assistant Professor

Office: T390
Email: ehendersondekort@mtroyal.ca
Phone: 403.440.5520

Education
PhD, Tilburg University
MA, Toronto Metropolitan University
BA, Brock University

Emmie is an Assistant Professor in the Bachelor of Child Studies (BCST) degree program. Her research interests and expertise are centered on children and youth rights, participatory action research, and amplifying the voices of young individuals. She is deeply committed to the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and incorporates these into her teaching and research activities. Her work emphasizes the importance of educating both practitioners and young individuals about the UNCRC to ensure that children's rights are understood, respected, and implemented in various contexts. In addition to her academic work, Emmie has extensive practical experience working directly with children and youth in the field.

Areas of Instruction

  • Children and Youth Rights
  • Vulnerable children, youth and families
  • Interdisciplinary professional practice
  • Child Development
  • Trauma-informed practice

Areas of Scholarship

  • Children and Youth Rights
  • Participatory and Action Research
  • Advocacy
  • Divorce and Separation

Selected Publications

Henderson-Dekort, E., Bjartveit, C., Bagshaw, A., & DeCecco, E. The dos and don’ts of practicing artivism: Pedagogical insights for embedding child rights and addressing social issues in early childhood education. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 0(0).

Bjartveit, C., Henderson-Dekort, E., DeCecco, E., & Bagshaw Brooks, A. (2026). Knit, Crochet, and Stitch for Child Rights and Social Justice: Practicing Craftivism in Early Childhood Education and Care Settings. Journal of Childhood Studies, 51(2), 8-24.

Henderson-Dekort, E. (2025). Does Unregulated Care Mean Unprotected Rights? How a Lack of Professionalization Violates the Rights of Children and Youth in Canada. Canadian Journal of Family and Youth/Le Journal Canadien de Famille et de la Jeunesse, 133-147.

Henderson-Dekort, E., & May, J. (2024). Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Educators as Champions for Children’s Rights: Introduction of the Children's Rights Advancement Framework. Canadian Journal of Children's Rights/Revue canadienne des droits des enfants, 11(1), 38-56.

Henderson-Dekort, E., van Bakel, H., Smits, V., & Van Regenmortel, T. (2023). “In accordance with age and maturity”: Children’s perspectives, conceptions and insights regarding their capacities and meaningful participation. Action research, 21(1), 30-61.

Henderson-Dekort, E., van Bakel, H., & Smits, V. (2022). The complex notion of the capacity of a child: Exploring the term capacity to support the meaningful participation of children in family law proceedings. Social Sciences, 11(3), 98.

Henderson-Dekort, E., Van Bakel, H., & Smits, V. (2022). Gathering Perspectives on Expert Approaches to the Capacity and Rights of Children: Working to Inform a Capacity Assessment Tool for Children to Participate in Family Law Proceedings. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 63(1), 35-65. 

Henderson-Dekort, E., Smits, V., & Van Bakel, H. (2021). The meaningful participation and complex capacities of children in family law: Based on transdisciplinary perspectives and articles of the united nations convention on the rights of the child. The International Journal of Children's Rights, 29(1), 78-98.

Henderson-Dekort, E. (2018). Unheard Voices within Family Law, Custody, and Access: A Progression of Child and Youth Care Practice and Children’s Rights, 31 (2), 7-13. 

 

Selected Presentations

  • Seen & Heard: Young People’s Voices & Freedom of Expression International Conference, Malta (2026). The Dos and Don’ts of Practicing Artivism: Pedagogical Insights for Embedding Child Rights and Addressing Social Issues

  • Children Rights Academic Network (CRAN) Annual Symposium (2026) Shaking the Movers Workshop.

  • Unity Child and Youth Care Conference (2025), Dublin Ireland. Advocacy in Action: How Child and Youth Care Practitioners Champion Children's Rights and the Case for Professional Regulation.

  • School Age Care Conference (2024). Children’s Rights Based Approach to Practice, Calgary Alberta
  • Celebrate! Teaching & Learning at MRU (2024). Knit, Crochet and Stitch for Child Rights and Social Justice: Practicing Craftivism in Early Childhood Education and Care Settings
  • Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta- Essential Pieces Conference (2024). Children's Rights Based Approach to Practice
  • Child & Youth Care in Action V: Embracing Challenge (2017). Technology Integration in Service Delivery: LifeBook as a Place for all Spaces

Relevant Community Service

  • Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children - Committee Member
  • Child Rights Academic Network (CRAN) – Member and Editor
  • Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada (CYCEAB) - Board Member