CREATIVE NONFICTION
Book (2019)
Cod Collapse: The Fall and Rise of Newfoundland’s Saltwater Cowboys. 2019. Nimbus Publishing. (Read an overview of Cod Collapse, which combines memoir, historical nonfiction and narrative).
Currently working on the manuscript for my next book about Point Amour.
Film (2021; 2024)
Last Fish, First Boat. 2021, adapted from Cod Collapse. Animated short-film released Feb 18, 2021 by McIntrye Media and Canadian Geographic with funding by Canada Council for the Arts. Co-produced with Kat Frick Miller and Matt LeMay. Learn more.
Unsettled. Forthcoming film (2024).
Audiobook (2021, Children’s)
Snowmageddon: A Snowfall Like No Other in St. John’s released January 17, 2021 and aired on CBC Newfoundland and Labrador) (Weekend AM) and online with an accompanying feature story.
Recognition
Nominee for the Democracy 250 Atlantic Book Award for Historical Writing for “Cod Collapse” at the 2021 Atlantic Book Awards – watch an author reading c/o Halifax Public Libraries
Nominee, Critical Eye Award, 2021 Excellence in Visual Arts (EVA) Awards
Finalist for a National Magazine Award in the category of “Best New Magazine Writer” for “Letters from Pop,” Maisonneuve, 2018.
Silver Finalist for an Atlantic Journalism Award in the category of “Best Profile Article” for “Half a century a fisherman,” Saltscapes, 2018.
Journalism (Articles, Commentaries, Reviews)
2022–2023
Forthcoming stories for Canadian Geographic, Literary Review of Canada, The Globe and Mail, The Independent and Saltscapes
Read the latest Seasplainer – The Independent’s monthly fisheries and oceans explainer series. And check out Jenn’s latest speaking engagements and interviews here such as her coverage at COP15 and discussing 30 years since the east coast cod fishery collapse on CBC’s The Current.
How new fishing technology could help save North Atlantic right whales. January 2023. The Globe and Mail. Noted as noteworthy reporting in the Globe Climate newsletter: New fishing tech could help save North Atlantic right whales.
Laying the groundwork for climate-smart fisheries. December 2022. The Globe and Mail. Noted as noteworthy reporting in the Globe Climate newsletter: Solutions: Climate scorecard provides picture of how marine life will fare as oceans become warmer.
How can Fisheries Support Biodiversity Recovery? December 2022. The Independent, Seasplainer. with Leila Beaudoin.
The federal government is less likely to protect an at-risk fish if people like to eat it: When a fish is listed under the species at risk registry, federal protection measures kick in. But the vast majority of at-risk fish that are commercially valuable never get that designation, data shows. November 2022. The Narwhal. Noted as noteworthy reporting in the Globe Climate newsletter: Investigation from The Narwhal: The federal government is less likely to protect an at-risk fish if people like to eat it; and featured in The Narwhal’s December newsletter citing behind-the-scenes details of the reporting: “Jenn spent months crunching the numbers and found less than a tenth of at-risk fish that are commercially valuable have been granted much-needed federal recognition.” and “Jenn’s work was a massive undertaking: the data analysis was reviewed by a pair of outside experts before landing in the hands of The Narwhal’s art director, Shawn Parkinson, who helped make the story sing with these immersive illustrations.”
How Can Fisheries Managers Account for Climate Risk? November 2022. The Independent, Seasplainer. with Leila Beaudoin
The cod delusion: A moratorium on cod fishing that was supposed to last two years has now lasted 30. What will it take to rebuild cod stocks — and a way of life? July-August 2022; and refeatured in October ‘Best of 2022’ issue. Canadian Geographic magazine. The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the Access Copyright Foundation – Marian Hebb Research for supporting the research making this story possible.
Post-tropical storm Fiona shows vulnerabilities in Canada’s weather-radar network, expert says. October 2022. The Globe and Mail. Noted as noteworthy reporting in the Globe Climate newsletter: Weather: Post-tropical storm Fiona shows vulnerabilities in Canada’s weather-radar network, expert says. Also read about how Alberta controls the weather to minimize hail damage.
Girls Who Fish wants more women on the water: A Canadian program, bringing girls and women to the fishing wharf, has inspired a sister program in Japan, and could hold the key to more sustainable wild fisheries. September 2022. The Globe and Mail. Also featured in Globe Climate: Why getting women and girls in the fishing boat is good for the environment
A new season of Seasplainer. September 2022. The Independent, Seasplainer. with Leila Beaudoin.
Why are NL fishers going out of province to land their catch? July 2022. The Independent, Seasplainer. with Leila Beaudoin.
30 years after the moratorium, what have we really learned about cod and science? July 2022. CBC NL.
Who Took the Fish from the Goddamn Water? June 2022. The Independent, Seasplainer.
Who decides the price of fish at the wharf? May 2022. The Independent, Seasplainer.
This fishing captain is combining Inuit knowledge with scientific expertise to fight climate change in the Far North. April 2022. The Globe and Mail. Also featured in Globe Climate: Inuit knowledge and science skills fight climate change in the Far North
How many fish are in the sea? April 2022. The Independent, Seasplainer.
Really old rocks in Gros Morne: Gros Morne National Park, and the remarkable Tablelands, is a trip back in ancient history. Spring-summer issue. Saltscapes.
Will there be icebergs this year? March 2022. The Independent, Seasplainer.
Home is where the harvest is: How community freezers are helping NunatuKavut Inuit stay connected to their values and way of life. Spring-summer issue. Inside Labrador. The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the Access Copyright Foundation – Marian Hebb Research for supporting the research making this story possible.
Brave Lucy Bolger: What her great-granddaughter learned about her as she followed her light at Point Amour Lighthouse. Spring-summer issue. Inside Labrador. The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the Access Copyright Foundation – Marian Hebb Research for supporting the research making this story possible.
Book Review: A Primer of Life Histories: Ecology, Evolution, and Application by Jeffrey A. Hutchings. March 2022. Atlantic Books Today.
The future before us: Youth have become an unrelenting force in using their voices to safeguard biodiversity. (Cover story) Winter 2022. Nature Conservancy of Canada.
In Labrador, desperate pleas for search and rescue resources still unanswered. January 2022. The Globe and Mail. The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the Access Copyright Foundation – Marian Hebb Research for supporting the research making this story possible.
Book Review: Land of Many Shores, edited by Ainsley Hawthorn. January 2022. Atlantic Books Today.
2021
You may not be relying on the best available evidence to make decisions and design programs — here’s why. December 2021. Future of Good.
Fishy business: Five young harvesters explain why they’ve chosen to haul anchor for a life on the water. September 2021. Atlantic Business Magazine.
Is the social impact workforce ready for the next emergency? September 2021. Future of Good.
Haunting tales of Point Amour Lighthouse. Fall 2021. Inside Labrador.
Book Review: Reflections from Them Days by Nellie Winters. Fall 2021. Inside Labrador
Scapegoat or scoundrel? Why scientists want to clear the air about the role of seals and focus on ecosystems. August 2021. The Globe and Mail.
As the Climate Changes, So Does Managing Fisheries: Over 20 years ago, DFO recognized that “changes in climate cannot be ignored.” Why is it taking so long to put this insight into practice? May 2021. The Independent.
A season of change: How N.L.’s wild fisheries have gone from plentiful to pitiful. May 2021. CBC NL.
Honouring Inuit Elders: Memorial University hosts first-ever convocation in Labrador. April 2021. (Inside Labrador)
Could smaller, more sustainable cod fishing make a comeback? Newfoundlanders look cautiously for ways to rebuild. March 2021. The Globe and Mail
Atlantic cod rebuilding plan undermines scientific evidence and Indigenous Knowledge: critics. March 2021. The Narwhal.
Conservation Conundrum: Will listing Atlantic Salmon under the Species At Risk Act help or hinder restoration efforts. Spring issue. Atlantic Salmon Journal.
Status report: slow starts and further delays for N.L. offshore in 2021-22. March 2021. (Atlantic Business Magazine)
New film shows three-decade old cod collapse even more relevant today. February 2021. Canadian Geographic.
Snowmageddon: Revisiting a snowfall like no other through a child’s eye. January 2021. CBC NL.
Colab co-founders: from hyperloop pioneers to Innovators of the Year. May 2021. Atlantic Business Magazine.
TEA FOR 2SLGBTQIA+ (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Office of Public Engagement)
Book Review: Reflections from Them Days by Nellie Winters. February 2021. Atlantic Books Today.
2020
Must-Have Newfoundland and Labrador Books of 2020. December 2020. Atlantic Books Today.
Is Corporate Concentration the Future of Fish Processing? December 2020. The Independent (NL). Shared byline with Jack Daly)
Who Controls Fish Processing in Newfoundland and Labrador? November 2020. The Independent (NL). (Shared byline with Jack Daly)
Yarnbombed! Twillingate gets The Rock Vandal’s trademark treatment. November 2020. Downhome.
Cod Haven’t Fully Returned, but We Still Return for the Cod. October 2020. The Independent (NL).
Portraits and Portrayals. October 2020. Downhome.
2020 Innovator of the Year. September 2020. Atlantic Business Magazine.
Rocking the Art World: In the Painted Rock Movement, The Fun is in The Find. July 2020. Downhome.
Book Briefs. Poetry. New-found-land by Carol Hobbs. Spring/Summer 2020. Atlantic Books Today.
The Yarnbomber. Not Your Grandmudder’s Knitting: A Yarnbomber Leaves Her Mark in Newfoundland. Spring/Summer 2020. [EDIT] magazine.
Why NL Fishers are Protesting in a Pandemic: An Explainer. May 2020. The Independent (NL).
Yarnbomber Aims to Lift Spirits in Outdoor Art Gallery. April 2020. The Independent (NL).
Report: FLR Complied with Disclosure Rules in Salmon Die-off. April 2020. The Independent (NL).
Quirpon Island: Abandoned, but Still Bursting with Life. March 2020. Downhome. (Cover story)
The Moment that Joined John Crosbie, the Cod, and Us. January 2020. The Independent (NL).
2019
Fishing Lessons: Bringing the whole community back to the wharf, one child and one woman at a time. November 2019. Reader’s Digest. Now available online.
After the Cod Collapse: Is Cod Jigging Still a Rite of Passage? October 2019. Downhome Magazine.
Had It Coming: Robyn Doolittle (Session Review). October 2019. Ottawa International Writers Festival.
In My Own Moccasins: Helen Knott (Session Review). October 2019. Ottawa International Writers Festival.
The Vagina Bible: Dr. Jen Gunter (Session Review). October 2019. Ottawa International Writers Festival.
Family Ties with Zalika Reid-Benta, Carol Rose GoldenEagle and Michael Crummey (Session Review). October 2019. Ottawa International Writers Festival.
Friends Like These with Anakana Schofield, Sara Peters and Megan Gail Coles. (Session Review). October 2019. Ottawa International Writers Festival.
Accordion to Don: How a Squeezebox Became a Barometer for My Father’s Health. Summer 2019. Newfoundland Quarterly. (listen to the Father’s Day 2019 show of VOCM’s Sunday Drive with Darrell Power for an interview with Jenn Thornhill Verma about this article – the segment runs 15.53-23:21)
The Newfoundland Expatriate Survey (Part 1). July 18, 2019. The Independent (Newfoundland and Labrador).
The Newfoundland Expatriate Survey (Part 2). July 22, 2019. The Independent (Newfoundland and Labrador). (Read the August 3, 2019 CBC News story “Buried report offers insight on why expats leave N.L. — and why they’d return.” The story followed Jenn’s interview on CBC Radio’s On the Go on July 23, 2019)
Cod and The Fishery: Down, But Not Out. July 2, 2019. The Independent (Newfoundland and Labrador).
Shed Culture: Some Work, All Play is the Newfoundland and Labrador Way. May 2019 (Cover story). Downhome Magazine. (Cover story)
Roam Like Home: Journal Entries From a Trip Across Newfoundland. April 2019. Newfoundland Quarterly.
Here Comes the Sun: Artist Jean Claude Roy’s Bright Outlook for Newfoundland and Labrador. March 2019. Newfoundland Quarterly.
2018 (and previous)
Letter: Career opportunity in fishing. . . for plastic? (Opinion-Editorial) November 19, 2018. The Telegram (St. John’s, NL)
Letter: The reasons we fish: Calling it “recreational” misses the mark. (Opinion-Editorial). October 6, 2018. The Telegram (St. John’s, NL)
Letter: Abuses to Recreational Cod Fishery Hurts Everyone, Including the Fish. (Opinion-Editorial) September 28, 2018. The Telegram (St. John’s, NL)
I’s The B’y That Catches the ‘Bergs: Meet Newfoundland and Labrador’s Iceberg Cowboy. Winter 2018. Explore Magazine (p.14)
Half a Century a fisherman – ‘til they closed it. First Person Feature. Winter 2018. Saltscapes Magazine
Mark Your Calendars: Corner Brook is hosting a Come Home Year 2019 and Everyone’s Invited. September 2018. Downhome Magazine
Letters from Pop (Newfoundland and Labrador’s Poor Literacy Legacy). March 2018. Maisonneuve Magazine
Abandoned Architecture as Art. January 2018. Downhome Magazine
I’m Afraid of Men: Vivek Shraya (Session Review). 2018. Ottawa International Writers Festival.
The Secret History of Soldiers: Tim Cook (Session Review). 2018. Ottawa International Writers Festival.
First Person: Darrel J. McLeod and Tom Wilson (Session Review). 2018. Ottawa International Writers Festival.
An Artist’s View. October 2016. Downhome Magazine
Still Afloat. March 2016. Downhome Magazine
For excerpts of recent works, visit Keepsake Gallery.
ACADEMIC/POLICY ARTICLES
Verma JY, Amar C, Sibbald S, Rocker GM. Improving care for advanced COPD
through practice change: Experiences of participation in a Canadian spread
collaborative. Chron Respir Dis. 2018 Feb;15(1):5-18. doi: 10.1177/1479972317712720. Epub 2017 Jun 14. PubMed PMID: 28612657; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5802658.
Rocker G, Farquhar M, Verma J. New models of care for respiratory disease: A
thematic edition. Chron Respir Dis. 2018 Feb;15(1):3-4. doi:
10.1177/1479972316679682. Epub 2017 Oct 5. PubMed PMID: 28982256; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5802652.
Ly O, Sibbald SL, Verma JY, Rocker GM. Exploring role clarity in
interorganizational spread and scale-up initiatives: the ‘INSPIRED’ COPD
collaborative. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018 Sep 3;18(1):680. doi:
10.1186/s12913-018-3474-2. PubMed PMID: 30176870; PubMed Central PMCID:
PMC6122743.
Verma J, Drimer N. 2018. Introduction: Co-created, co-delivered, co-lived: Toward better health and care for inner-city populations (casebook). CFHI: Ottawa, ON. (p.3)
Rocker GM, Amar C, Laframboise WL, Burns J, Verma JY. Spreading improvements
for advanced COPD care through a Canadian Collaborative. Int J Chron Obstruct
Pulmon Dis. 2017 Jul 26;12:2157-2164. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S140043. eCollection PubMed PMID: 28794620; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5536231.
Verma J, O’Connor P, Hodge J, Abrams H, Bennett J, Sinha S. Healthcare for
the Aging Citizen and the Aging Citizen for Healthcare: Involving Patient
Advisors in Elder-Friendly Care Improvement. Healthc Q. 2017;20(1):14-17. PubMed
PMID: 28550693.
Rossiter M, Verma J, Denis JL, Samis S, Wedge R, Power C. Governing
Collaborative Healthcare Improvement: Lessons From an Atlantic Canadian Case. Int
J Health Policy Manag. 2017 May 16;6(12):691-694. doi: 10.15171/ijhpm.2017.60.
PubMed PMID: 29172375; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5726318.
Farmanova E, Kirvan C, Verma J, Mukerji G, Akunov N, Phillips K, Samis S.
Triple Aim in Canada: developing capacity to lead to better health, care and
cost. Int J Qual Health Care. 2016 Dec 1;28(6):830-837. doi:
10.1093/intqhc/mzw118. PubMed PMID: 28423164; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5892163.
Amar C, Verma J, King D, MacAusland D, Harper T, Vallis M. Self-Management
Support in Chronic Care: Practice Implementation Lessons for Healthcare Providers
from an Atlantic Collaborative. Healthc Q. 2016;18(4):49-54. PubMed PMID:
27009708.
Verma JY, Denis JL, Samis S, Champagne F, O’Neil M. A Collaborative Approach
to a Chronic Care Problem. Healthc Pap. 2016;15 Spec No:19-38. PubMed PMID:
27009639.
Sampalli T, Edwards L, Christian E, Kohler G, Bedford L, Demmons J, Verma J,
Gibson R, Carson SR. A Patient-Centred Redesign Framework to Support System-Level Process Changes for Multimorbidities and Chronic Conditions. Healthc Q.
2015;18(3):34-42. PubMed PMID: 26718252.
Verma JY, Amar C. Can a Healthcare “Lean Sweep” Deliver on What Matters to
Patients? Comment on “Improving Wait Times to Care for Individuals with
Multimorbidities and Complex Conditions Using Value Stream Mapping”. Int J Health
Policy Manag. 2015 Jul 28;4(11):783-5. doi: 10.15171/ijhpm.2015.140. PubMed PMID: 26673343; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4629708.
Rocker GM, Verma JY, Demmons J, Mittmann N. Number Needed To… $ave? Clin
Invest Med. 2015 Feb 6;38(1):E11-4. PubMed PMID: 25662619.
Rocker GM, Verma JY. ‘INSPIRED’ COPD Outreach Program™: doing the right
things right. Clin Invest Med. 2014 Oct 4;37(5):E311-9. PubMed PMID: 25282137.
Verma J, Petersen S, Samis S, Akunov N, Graham, J. Healthcare Priorities in Canada. Prepared to support the Canadian Harkness Fellowship Canadian Tour, hosted by the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement with The Commonwealth Fund. 2014. CFHI: Ottawa, ON.
Akunov N. & Verma J. Healthcare Primer (Series): How is healthcare regionalized across Canada?; How are hospitals financed across Canada?; and How is quality of care measured across Canada? 2014. Canadian Healthcare Network.
Marchildon GP, Verma JY, Roos N. Opinion editorials: the science and art of
combining evidence with opinion. Evid Based Med. 2013 Oct;18(5):161-4. doi:
10.1136/eb-2012-100996. Epub 2012 Nov 9. PubMed PMID: 23143923; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3786663.
Sutherland K, Leatherman S, Law S, Verma J, Petersen S. Chartbook: shining a
light on the quality of healthcare in Canada: what can be learned to catalyze
improvements in healthcare quality? Healthc Pap. 2012;12(1):10-24. PubMed PMID:
22543326.
Verma J, Petersen S, Sutherland K, Law S, & Leatherman S. (2012). The Authors Respond – Quality of Healthcare in Canada. Healthc Pap. 2012;12(1): 51-58.
Leith E, Kirvan CK, Verma JY, Lewis K, Robertson S. Re-imagining healthcare:
the Northwest Territories transitions to an integrated chronic disease management
strategy. Healthc Q. 2012;15(1):19-21. PubMed PMID: 22354049.
Major J, Verma J, Samis S. Better with age: a regional roundtable series on
health systems planning for the aging population. Healthc Q. 2011;14(2):14-5.
PubMed PMID: 21841386.
Brosseau M, Verma J. Engaging patients to improve healthcare quality. Healthc
Q. 2011;14(3):16-8. PubMed PMID: 21841371.
Major J & Verma J. How can we provide better health care to older Canadians? 2011Long Term Care Magazine. 21(3). Ontario Long Term Care Association.
Brasset-Latulippe A, Verma J, Mulvale G. & Barclay K. Provincial and Territorial Health System Priorities: An Environmental Scan. 2011. CHSRF, Ottawa, ON.
Brasset-Latulippe A, Verma J, Mulvale G. & Barclay K. Transformation Lessons from Disease-based Strategies: An Environmental Scan Chronic disease: New frontier of healthcare. 2011. CHSRF, Ottawa, ON.
Major J & Verma J. Putting it in context: Canadians’ views on the financial sustainability, quality and accessibility of healthcare in Canada (A Backgrounder). 2011. CHSRF Ottawa, ON.
Verma J, Samis S. Canada’s population is aging. Healthc Pap. 2011;11(1):3-5.
PubMed PMID: 21464621.
McGrail K. & Verma J. Examining Geographic Variations in Healthcare Services Delivery. Briefing for the 2011 CEO Forum, Leadership accountability in Canadian healthcare: Creating the momentum to improve quality. 2011. CHSRF, Ottawa, ON.
Hollander M, Verma J & Major J. Improving Transitions Across the Continuum of Care. Briefing for the 2011 CEO Forum, Leadership accountability in canadian healthcare: Creating the momentum to improve quality. 2011. CHSRF, Ottawa, ON.
Elshaung A, Verma J & Petersen S. Improving allocation efficiencies in healthcare. Briefing for the 2011 CEO Forum, Leadership accountability in canadian healthcare: Creating the momentum to improve quality. 2011. CHSRF, Ottawa, ON.
Thornhill J. Charter on improving quality of patient care: can CEOs and boards
create the momentum Canada needs to realize performance gains? Healthc Q.
2010;13(3):12-4. PubMed PMID: 20523144
Coutts J, Thornhill J. Service-based funding and pay for performance: will
incentive payments give Canadian healthcare the quality boost it needs? Healthc
Q. 2009;12(3):42-9. PubMed PMID: 19553761.
Thornhill J, Judd M, Clements D. CHSRF knowledge transfer: (re)introducing the
self-assessment tool that is helping decision-makers assess their organization’s
capacity to use research. Healthc Q. 2009;12(1):22-4. PubMed PMID: 19142059.
Fletcher L, Thornhill J. Organizational value in enhancing individual
research use capacity: a joint evaluation project led by EXTRA and SEARCH Canada.
Healthc Q. 2009;12(2):18-20. PubMed PMID: 19369806.
Shortt M, Thornhill J. Health infostructure and the
cultural imperative. Healthc Q. 2009;12(4):16-8. PubMed PMID: 20057224.
Thornhill J, Clements D, Neeson J. Myths, “zombies” and “damned lies” plague
Canadian healthcare systems: what’s a researcher to do? Healthc Q.
2008;11(3):14-5. PubMed PMID: 18677833.
Thornhill J, Dault M. Healthy healthcare workplaces: improving the health and
work environments of professionals. Healthc Q. 2008;11(4):16-9. PubMed PMID:
19066476.
Morrison E, Thornhill J, Sheps S. A Foot in Both Camps: Graduate Voices at the
Interface of Applied Health Services Research, Policy and Decision-making.
Healthc Policy. 2008 May;3 Spec no:118-30. PubMed PMID: 19377316; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2645184.
Rexe K, Vigneault S, Thornhill J. Public reporting: one piece of the quality
improvement puzzle. Healthc Q. 2008;11(1):18-9. PubMed PMID: 18326374.
Thornhill J, Dault M, Clements D. Ready, set… collaborate? The evidence says
“go,” so what’s slowing adoption of inter-professional collaboration in primary
healthcare? Healthc Q. 2008;11(2):14-6. PubMed PMID: 18700266.
Thornhill J, & Clements D. Mythbusters Teaching Resource. 2008. CHSRF: Ottawa, ON.
Thornhill J, Stipich N. Executive Training for Research Application (EXTRA)
community of practice. Healthc Q. 2007;10(4):16-8. PubMed PMID: 18019893.
Thornhill J, Vigneault S, Clements D. Broadening the dialogue to include
quality. Healthc Q. 2007;10(2):20-1. PubMed PMID: 17491561.
Jenn Thornhill Verma was also the longest standing writer/editor for the popular CFHI Mythbusters series, debunking widely held beliefs about healthcare in Canada with best-available evidence (Jenn wrote/edited every issue from 2006-2013)
Jenn Thornhill Verma 