Stairs in Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA)

Advancing clinical practice and health care through cutting-edge nursing science research

The Faculty of Nursing continues to push the boundaries of health sciences research. Our leaders and experts in the field are being recognized for their innovative and novel research programs. Research is the bedrock upon which our global reputation has been built and continues to grow. Our faculty advances meaningful and accessible research and is the driver for our robust educational programs shaping tomorrow’s nursing leaders. Our groundbreaking and innovative work has led to the Faculty of Nursing achieving QS rankings of No.1 in Canada and No.9 globally this year.

As you immerse yourself in this report, you will discover the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta is home to agents of change in advancing health science, education, and practice.

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Highlights

Here are some of our biggest achievements from the past year!

Dianne Kunyk

Dr. Dianne Kunyk was named Acting Dean of the Faculty of Nursing for a two-year term effective July 1, 2021. 

College of Health Sciences Logo

The Faculty of Nursing joined five other faculties to form the new College of Health Sciences, where exciting new opportunities abound for interdisciplinary research.

Edmonton clinicl health academy

U of A is home to Canada’s top nursing program, according to latest Maclean’s rankings.

Nursing students

According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, the Faculty of Nursing is ranked the best in Canada and number nine globally.

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Research Impact

The Faculty of Nursing leads cutting-edge research in Areas of Children and Women’s Health, Healthy Aging, Health Equity and Health Systems, Global Health and Migration and Mental Health to help improve people’s quality of life. Here are some of our research highlights from 2021-22.

$6.68M

total research funding in the last year for the Faculty of Nursing

287

peer-reviewed research publications

Gillian Lemermeyer

In good hands: examining everyday nursing ethics through touch and technology

The human touch is essential to the ethical relationship between nurses and patients, even as nurses increasingly adopt technologies like AI in their learning and practice, says Nursing researcher Gillian Lemermeyer.

“How do we set the foundation for amazing learning opportunities? I think it’s simple: We all do better when we feel safe, cared for, and when we believe that we’re working toward something meaningful. And aren’t these exactly the same things we hope students ultimately do for their patients?”

“How do we set the foundation for amazing learning opportunities? I think it’s simple: We all do better when we feel safe, cared for, and when we believe that we’re working toward something meaningful. And aren’t these exactly the same things we hope students ultimately do for their patients?”

Judy Chepeha, MScPT, PhD
Associate teaching professor, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
Teaching award winner and keynote speaker, Rehab Med Teaching Awards Celebration 2022
Shannon Scott

Getting childhood health research into the hands of parents

Edmonton researchers Drs. Shannon Scott and Lisa Hartling aiming to reach a more diverse population with their information resources for parents

Jordana Salma

Unique research model links academic findings with concrete change for Edmonton’s Muslim community

Nursing professor Jordana Salma brought together a group of Muslim seniors to provide advice on her research into healthy aging — and in return, she promises to take concrete action based on what she learns.

Sherry Dahlke

Nursing researcher is fighting ageism with education

Nursing professor Sherry Dahlke is leading a Canada-wide project to test online training modules she developed to educate nursing students about caring for older patients, to find out whether they're effective at countering ageist attitudes.

Bukola Salami

Nursing professor leading international research to support vulnerable migrant children

Nursing professor Bukola Salami is leading a multidisciplinary network of 32 researchers in 12 countries who are studying the conditions vulnerable migrant children face before and after journeying from Africa to Canada.

152

active research grants

Nursing research news

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Faculty Awards

The Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta has a strong reputation for advancing nursing knowledge; we are recognized as a leader both nationally and internationally. Our world-leading Faculty lead cutting-edge work and are recognized for their innovative contributions that are changing the face of global health.

Over the past year, 120 students have received internal awards.

Meet some of our amazing award recipients

Matthias Hoben

Dr. Matthias Hoben

Yves Joanette Award  of Excellence in Research in Aging ($50,000 value)

Kathleen Hunter

Dr. Kathleen Hunter

GSA Graduate Student Supervisor Award

Bukola Salami

Dr. Bukola Salami

Killam Accelerator Award ($225,000 value) for most outstanding early career researcher at the University of Alberta and Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award.

Shannon Scott

Dr. Shannon Scott

International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Award from the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and New ​Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Fellow.

3 Canada Research Chairs

Carole Estabrooks — Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation
Shannon Scott — Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation in Children’s Health
Edith Pituskin — Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Chronicity

2 Research Chairs

Mark Haykowsky — Endowed Nursing Research Chair in Aging and Quality of Life
Colleen Norris — Cavarzan Chair in Mature Women’s Health

6 Fellows In the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Alex Clark — Adjunct Professor at UofA FoN
Greta Cummings — Professor & Dean, College of Health Sciences
Carole Estabrooks — Professor & Canada Research Chair, UofA FoN
Anita Molzahn — Professor Emeritus, UofA FoN
Colleen Norris — Professor & Assoc. Dean of Research, UofA FoN
Shannon Scott — Professor & Vice-Dean, UofA FoN

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Covid-19 Research Spotlight

The COVID-19 pandemic had the medical world at a standstill. Globally, health care professionals were battling a virus that we knew very little about. But recent increases in research capacity here in Canada’s No. 1 nursing faculty presented us with the unique opportunity to tackle this disease as front-line nurse practitioners both in the lab and in the field.

In the past year, the Faculty of Nursing has had 10 COVID-19 related research funded projects.

Women's heart health shouldn't take back seat to coronavirus

Patients with heart disease are delaying treatment because of COVID-19, but women may need it now more than ever, says U of A nursing expert Dr. Colleen Norris.

U of A nursing professor leads an international team to study the problem and evaluate solutions that could improve girls’ health and quality of life

Nursing professor Salima Meherali is leading international research looking for ways to address serious gaps the COVID-19 pandemic has created in health-care services for teen girls in low- and middle-income countries.

Wave of delayed grief likely as pandemic ebbs, says expert

Easing of restrictions will be hard on those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, says U of A nursing researcher Dr. Donna Wilson who offers coping strategies to help yourself and others.

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This report highlights achievements from the Faculty of Nursing from July 1st 2021 - June 30th 2022.

Contact us: nucomms@ualberta.ca

Faculty of Nursing
Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy
11405 87 Avenue, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1C9
ualberta.ca/nursing