She earned her Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree from the University of British Columbia, her M.S. in Youth and Family Recreation from Brigham Young University, and her Ph.D. in Leisure Studies from the Pennsylvania State University. Birgitta’s research, community engagement, and teaching focus on the mental and physical health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Her current research projects include using physical activity as a supplement to traditional treatment for children with anxiety, examining the role of parks in promoting social capital and physical activity, and addressing social determinants of health in low-wealth communities through capacity building.