Jackie Sieppert

Degrees: PhD in Social Work (Arizona State University), MSW (University of Calgary), BSW (University of Calgary) 

Interests: Application of information technology to social work, program design, program evaluation, research methodology.

For a number of years before pursuing his PhD, Jackie Sieppert worked at the Faculty of Social Work as a sessional instructor, teaching computer skills and statistics. He rejoined the Faculty as an assistant professor in 1993, teaching courses in program evaluation, research, organizational practice, and social policy. Since that time he has also served as PhD Coordinator and Associate Dean, Research and Partnerships.

Sieppert’s research interests include community development with seniors, dynamics of successful collaboration, and digital storytelling. For the last six years he has been a member of the Elder Friendly Communities Program, and has helped initiate projects such as the Downtown Community Initiative. He takes particular pleasure in developing new projects on behalf of the Faculty.

Sieppert’s current research and education projects include:

• the Elder Friendly Communities Program: a program of senior-led community development in both Calgary and Adelaide, Australia; and
• the Program for North American Social Work Education and Social Welfare Equity: a program to exchange social work students between universities in Canada, the US and Mexico.

He serves as vice-chair of the board of governors for the Distress Centre Calgary, and as a committee member for committees at the Calgary Health Region, the Ministry of Employment, Industry and Immigration, the Southern Alberta Child and Youth Health Network, and the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations.

Recent publications include:

• McClelland, R.W., Austin, C., Sieppert, J, and Gursansky, D. (2007). Elder friendly communities: An international comparison of neighbourhood needs assessments with older adults in Adelaide and Calgary. New Community Quarterly, 4 (4), 52-59.
• Sieppert, J. (2005). Evaluation in Canada’s social services: Progress, rifts and challenges. Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 20, 101-121.
• Coleman, H., Collins, D., and Sieppert, J. (2005). Evaluating university teaching: Research and political agendas. International Journal of Learning, 957-967.
• Austin, C., Des Camp. E., Flux, D., McClelland, R., Sieppert, J. (2005). Community development with older adults in their neighbourhoods: The Elder Friendly Communities Program. Families in Society. 83(3): 401-410. (Attribution is alphabetically ordered).

Research Projects:

• Austin. C. (PI)., Sieppert, J. (Co-PI)., & McClelland, R. (Inv). Elder Friendly Communities Program Demonstration. (City of Calgary, Family & Community Support Services; 2005-2005).
• Austin. C. (PI)., Sieppert, J. (Co-PI)., & McClelland, R. (Inv). Elder Friendly Communities Demonstration - Ethnic Diversity. (City of Calgary, Family & Community Support Services; 2005-2005).
• Austin. C. (PI)., Sieppert, J. (Co-PI)., & McClelland, R. (Inv). Elder Friendly Communities Demonstration - multi-cultural community development. (Wild Rose Foundation; 2004-2005).
• Austin. C. (PI)., Sieppert, J. (Co-PI)., & McClelland, R. (Inv). Elder Friendly Communities Demonstration. (The United Way of Calgary and Area; 2005-2005).
• Austin. C. (PI)., Sieppert, J. (Co-PI)., & McClelland, R. (Inv). Elder Friendly Communities Demonstration. (The Calgary Foundation; 2005-2006).
• Austin. C. (PI)., Sieppert, J. (Co-PI)., & McClelland, R. (Inv). Elder Friendly Communities Demonstration. (Calgary Health Region; 2005-2005).
• Austin, C. (PI)., Sieppert, J. (Co-PI)., & McClelland, R. (Inv). The Elder Friendly Communities Project: Understanding Community Development And Service Coordination To Enhance Seniors' Quality Of Life. (Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research; 2003-2006).
• Sieppert, J. (PI)., & Hewson, J. (Co-PI). Mixed Income vs. Low Income Segregated Housing Models. (Boardwalk Equities; 2005-2005).
• Sieppert, J. (Co-I). & Walsh, C. (Co-I). Downtown Community Initiative (DCI). (VP External Office, University of Calgary; 2005-2005).