top of page
Dr Shela Hirani
PhD, MScN, BScN, RN, IBCLC
Professor & Founding Director of Breastfeeding Advocacy Research Lab
Dr. Shela Hirani is an esteemed Professor at the University of Regina, Canada, and an expert in neonatal, maternal, and child health nursing. As a dedicated researcher, lactation consultant, and advocate for baby-friendly initiatives, she tirelessly promotes breastfeeding for vulnerable women and young children. Her remarkable contributions earned her recognition from the World Health Organization as one of the 100 outstanding women nurses globally in 2020. With over 50 accolades to her name, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, King Charles III Coronation Medal, WXN Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award, the Saskatchewan Multicultural Leadership Award, and the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, Dr. Hirani continues to champion breastfeeding advocacy in Canada and beyond. Dr Shela Hirani is an elected board member of reputable international, national, and provincial organizations. She is an editorial board member of the reputable global health journals. Dr Hirani is committed to providing quality mentorship to the next generation of leaders in breastfeeding advocacy.
The Vision of Dr Shela Hirani's
Breastfeeding Advocacy Research Lab
Dismantle Breastfeeding Barriers in Diverse Care Settings
Promote the Health and Well-being of Mothers and Young Children through
Innovative Interventions Supporting Breastfeeding
Achieve Sustainable Development Goals by Promoting, Protecting and
Supporting Breastfeeding
Close Gaps in Maternal-Child Care through Breastfeeding Support for All
Program of Research
Breastfeeding Advocacy Research: Program, Practices and Policies (BARPPP) aims to improve the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding which is an ideal nutrition for babies during early years.
Using the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accommodation (DEIA) approach, the key goal of BARPPP is to advocate for breastfeeding in diverse care settings, including disaster zones, healthcare settings, workplaces, and public spaces like shopping malls, restaurants, parks and public transits.
Acknowledgement of Funding Support
Impact of Breastfeeding Advocacy Research Lab
Adoption of Baby-Friendly Initiatives (BFI) in diverse care settings (hospitals, disaster zones and workplace settings)
Creation of Safe Spaces for breastfeeding mothers in over four post-secondary institutions
Development and dissemination of over 60 evidence-based breastfeeding knowledge resources offering informational support to over 200,000 mothers worldwide
Adoption of culturally sensitive breastfeeding care and trauma-informed interventions for migrant mothers
Capacity Building of over 5000 service providers and the
next generation of health professionals
Policy Briefs initiating dialogues on supportive breastfeeding policies and practices for mothers affected by natural disasters and displacement
Development of the validated Perceived Breastfeeding Support Assessment Tool (PBSAT), which is cited by 35 researchers and is being used in over 20 countries to reshape policies and offer equitable breastfeeding support to employed mothers
Co-development of Toolkits to support the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), facilitated over 500 service providers to offer trauma-informed breastfeeding care to migrant mothers
Development and dissemination of an e-Toolkit on "Breastfeeding during COVID-19" helped over 2000 mothers to make informed breastfeeding decisions during the pandemic
Breastfeeding advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns through billboard/social media and educational trainings reached over 3000 students, 5000 professionals and 100 community-based organisations, resulting in care provision to 5000 mothers annually.
SPOTLIGHT
“2025 Dr. Garth Pickard Award for Post-Secondary Excellence in Education for Sustainable Development” and “2025 RCE-SK Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Award” from RCE Saskatchewan, presented by Her Honor,
The Honorable Bernadette McIntyre, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Canada.
The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Government of Saskatchewan, Canada
The King Charles III Coronation Medal from the Canadian Nurses Association
Sigma Nursing's Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar Award 2020
YWCA Women of Distinction Award 2022 [Category: Research, Science, & Technology]
Saskatchewan Multicultural
Leadership Award 2022 from the
Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
WXN Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100Award 2024
[Category: Community Impact]
During the International Year of the Nurse 2020, Dr Shela Hirani was recognized by the World Health Organization as Top 100 Women Nurse Leaders Around the World [Category: Community Hero]
Dr Shela Hirani's efforts for Multiculturalism were acknowledged in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Canada [November 21, 2022]
LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY
Dr Shela Hirani served on various leadership roles with various reputable organizations
President & Chair of Governance Committee
for Sigma Nursing's Rho Delta Chapter
(2013-2015)
Program Director for Sigma Nursing'
Phi Gamma Chapter (2025- date)
Every Women Every Child Working Group Member for the World Health Organization (2024 to date)
Elected Council Member for DOHaD Canada (2021-date)
Chair, Child Health Interest Group
(2010-2015)
Elected Board Member and Reginal Director for the Eastern Mediteranean Region (2022 - date)
Elected Member of Breastfeeding Committee of Canada's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (2025 - date)
Elected Board Member of Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (2023 - date)
Core Group Member of Infant Feeding in Emergencies
(2022- date)
Chair, Council Committee on Research (2021- 2024) &
Member of Joint Committee on Council and Senate (2024 to date)
Media Appearances
Publications
Supporters of Breastfeeding Advocacy Research Lab
bottom of page