Dr. Joan Braun
Doctor of Philosophy - Peter A. Allard School of Law
Master of Laws – Peter A. Allard School of Law
Master of Social Work – School of Social Work, University of BC
Bachelor of Laws – School of Law, University of BC
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – University of Victoria
Prior to her doctoral studies Professor Braun worked as a mediator/ lawyer in private practice and as a lawyer in the social justice sector. In the latter role, she founded western Canada’s first community legal clinic for older adults at the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support (BC CEAS). The legal clinic provided in-person representation in Vancouver and legal advice and information provincially through a toll-free phone line.
Joan Braun's work as a lawyer sparked an interest in research, policy development and law reform, and led to the decision to pursue an academic career. During graduate studies she worked as a researcher and consultant, sat on national and international advisory committees in the elder law field and taught as a sessional instructor at two universities.
Professor Braun’s research focuses on issues at the intersection of law and aging. She has a strong interest in understanding the real world impact of laws that were drafted with the intention of protecting vulnerable older adults and in the legal rights of older adults, particularly those with cognitive disabilities including those resulting from dementia.
Example of a Recently Completed Project
Principal investigator for a socio-legal project examining how British Columbia's Adult Guardianship Act is being implemented in practice. This statute authorizes BC's health authorities to intervene when vulnerable adults are abused or neglected and are unable to seek assistance on their own. Data was gathered through interviews and a focus group with employees who respond to reports of abuse under this statutory mandate.
Examples of Current Projects
Co-investigator on a SSHRC funded project examining capacity and capacity assessment in the context of abuse and neglect. The goal of this project is to develop an understanding of mental capacity that is more proactive, rights based and congruent with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Principal investigator for a project examining criminal law response to crimes against older adults. The project involves an analysis of policy and reviews of criminal law cases where advanced age was an aggravating factor in sentencing.
TEACHING
Courses Taught: Administrative Law, Criminal Law, Elder Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution
RECENT PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Joan Braun, " Conflicting Purposes: Guardianship Law, Mental Health Law and Involuntary Detentions", International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, Special Issue, Falling Between the Cracks: Gaps and Tensions in Mental Health Law (March 2025), DOI:<10.1016/j.ijlp.2025.102111>.
Deborah O’Connor, Joan Braun, Natasha Marriette & Kelly Purser, “Assessing Mental (In)Capacity in the Context of Abuse and Neglect: A Relational Lens” (2024) International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, DOI:< 10.1016/j.ijlp.2024.102027>.
Joan Braun, “Preventing Harm to Vulnerable Older Adults: A Social Justice Perspective” (2021) 36:6 Research on Social Work Practice 561, DOI < 10.1177/10497315211010959>.
Joan Braun, “Legal Interventions to Protect Vulnerable Adults: Does Relational Autonomy Provide a New Way Forward?” (2020) 12:2 Elder Law Review.
Bernie Garrett et al (… Joan Braun), “A Taxonomy of Risk Associated Health Alternatives: A Delphi Study” (2021) Health and Social Care, DOI: <10.1111/hsc.13386 > [Peer Reviewed].
In Progress: Several publications are in progress including a chapter on aging and public health for a public health law text (forthcoming) and an article examining adult protection legislation and the role of incapacity assessment for adults with dementia who are deemed to be at risk of harm (under review).
RESEARCH AFFILIATIONS
Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health - Lakehead University Researcher
Centre for Research on Personhood in Dementia - University of BC Researcher
School of Criminology - Simon Fraser University
Applied Legal Research Group