Rioux began her academic career at the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in 1968 as a research assistant.[1] As the first Director of Research for the National Advisory Council on the Status of Women, she focused her research on indigenous women.[2] Before earning her PhD, Rioux worked as a Policy Analyst on the Law Reform Commission of Canada from 1977 until 1979.[1] In 1978, Rioux and Joanna McFadyen published a report that promoted a revision in the Canadian Criminal Code regarding sexual assault victims.[3] After earning her doctorate, Rioux worked as Director of the Roeher Institute in Downsview, Ontario, from 1987 until 2002.[4]
She was the Director of the York Institute of Health Research at York University from 2002 until 2014.[2] Starting in 2002, she also chaired York's School of Health Policy and Management.[5] In her role as director and chair, Rioux was invited to La Trobe University in 2008 to work with law professor Lee Ann Basser on developing disability policy in Victoria, Australia.[6] A few years later, Rioux, Basser, and Melinda Jones published Critical Perspectives on Human Rights and Disability Law through Brill Publishers.[7]
In February 2013, Rioux began an international research project to promote employment of people with disabilities in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.[8] By April, York University awarded Rioux the 2013 President's Research Excellence Award.[9] Later, in recognition of her academic achievements, York University appointed Rioux the title of Distinguished Research Professor.[10]
In 2014, Rioux was the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's Community Volunteer Award in recognition of her contributions to Ontario communities.[11] Later that year, she was also named a Member of the Order of Canada for her research in the field of social justice.[12]
On February 3, 2015, Rioux was recognized by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations with the 2014 Status of Women Award of Distinction and the Lorimer Award.[13] She also published a co-edited book titled Disability, Rights Monitoring, and Social Change: Building Power out of Evidence.[14] The book, published through the Canadian Scholars’ Press, attempted to address the issues facing United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, such as civil society monitoring.[15]
^"Critical Perspectives on Human Rights and Disability Law – Edited by Marcia Rioux, Lee Ann Basser & Melinda Jones Review". Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs. 12 (2): 124–126. 2012. doi:10.1111/j.1471-3802.2012.01236_2.x.
