WE ARE INNOVATIVE GAME-CHANGERS REDEFINING HEALTH SCIENCE RESEARCH
Our faculty leads with innovation, actively addressing the complex health challenges facing our diverse communities, from local to global stages. Recognized as Western Canada’s top nursing program and among the world’s top seven, our achievements reflect our dedication to excellence, resilience, and adaptability.
Our researchers, students, and practitioners stand at the forefront of nursing innovation, redefining what’s possible in patient care, community health, education, and policy. From advancing children's and women’s health to promoting healthy aging and health equity, our work covers the full spectrum of health sciences, driving solutions for real-world needs. Across critical areas such as cardiovascular health, digital interventions, and knowledge mobilization, our research meets the challenges of chronic and acute health issues, from critical care to chronic diseases and public health.
As we reflect on the 2023-24 academic year, we are excited to showcase the exceptional contributions and stories that are defining the future of nursing. I invite you to dive into this report to witness the impact of our passionate community, whose relentless pursuit of knowledge continues to shape nursing and health science research on the global stage.
Shannon Scott, Dean, Faculty of Nursing
Colleen Norris, Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Nursing
U of A Nursing 2024 Video
Research Impact
The Faculty of Nursing leads transformational research to address complex global health challenges and to meet the health needs of diverse communities.
Here are some of our research highlights from 2023-24 in 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.
$7 million +
in total funding from currently active grants, with almost $3.3 million in new funding awarded during proposal fiscal year
184
active research grants, including 37 newly funded during proposal fiscal year
H-index 94.2
Over 88,000 collective citations since 2019
#1
nursing program in Western Canada
#7
worldwide
37
tenure track researchers
9
postdoctoral fellows
63
PhD students
215
graduate students
1473
undergraduate students
3 Canada Research Chairs
Carole Estabrooks — Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation
Edith Pituskin — Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Chronicity
Shannon MacDonald — Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Applied Pediatric Immunization
2 Research Chairs
Mark Haykowsky — Endowed Nursing Research Chair in Aging and Quality of Life
Colleen Norris — Cavarzan Chair in Women’s Health Research
6 Fellows In the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Alex Clark — Adjunct Professor
Greta Cummings — Professor
Carole Estabrooks — Professor & Canada Research Chair
Anita Molzahn — Professor Emeritus
Colleen Norris — Professor & Associate Dean of Research
Shannon Scott — Professor & DeanAreas of Research Excellence
Children and Women’s Health
Healthy Aging
Health Equity and Health Systems
Global Health and Migration
Mental Health
Research Features
The new generation
There is a critical need for PhD-educated nurses to conduct important research and teach the students who will become tomorrow’s health‑care professionals.
He was an undocumented migrant who couldn't get into university. Now he has a nursing phD — and a mission
Higinio Fernández-Sánchez’s research illuminates health needs of economic migrants from Mexico and their families back home.
Better communication key to mitigating moral distress for nurses, say researchers
Study of conditions in pediatric intensive care units aims to stem the flow of nurses leaving the profession.
Nursing Research News
'Build back trust,' says Canada Research Chair in Applied Pedatric Immunization
Shannon MacDonald works with communities to figure out the best way to deliver information and vaccines.
Sub-four-minute-mile runners outlive expectations
Extreme exercise is beneficial for longevity and healthy aging, says nursing professor.
Empowering women through innovative numeracy and literacy tools
Nursing researcher Salima Meherali and her team have introduced easy-to-use financial and health resources that are building independence in the women of northern Pakistan.
New Precision Human Health Lab will explore how people with chronic diseases can get the most benefit from exercise
Researchers aim to better understand how exercise can be used as a safe and effective clinical tool to improve exercise tolerance and quality of life for people with multiple chronic diseases.
Far horizons
How one RN took a winding path to places she never expected.
The global crisis of loneliness
Hannah O’Rourke says more research is needed on the serious health effects of loneliness and social isolation, especially for those with cognitive impairment.
Faculty Research Awards
Our researchers are innovative leaders who are changing the face of global health and advancing nursing knowledge, research and clinical practice.
Meet some of our amazing award recipients
Manal Kleib
Named Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing
2023 Pat Griffin Research Grant
Alberta Nursing Education Administrators Award for Leadership in Nursing Education for 2023
Hannah O'Rourke
2023 Alumni Horizon Award
Kule Institute for Advanced Study (KIAS) Award
Pauline Paul
ASN Ethel Johns Award
VJ Gibbins
Woodend Clinical Education Grant
Carole Estabrooks
Trailblazers for Culture Change Award
Jordana Salma
Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI Scholar, 2024)
Shannon MacDonald
Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) Applied Pediatric Immunization
Emerging Research Funding
We are committed to conducting high-impact research that contributes to breaking down barriers, transforming systems and addressing the health needs of our communities, here and abroad.
Almost $3.3 million in new funding awarded during proposal fiscal year!
This report highlights achievements from the Faculty of Nursing from July 1st 2023 - June 30th 2024.
View last year's report to see highlights from July 1 2022 - June 30 2023 »
Faculty of Nursing
Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy
11405 87 Avenue, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1C9
Conact us at nucomms@ualberta.ca