Impactful Research and Collaboration
Impactful Research for Today’s Most Pressing Issues
The faculty continues to enhance research capacity by hiring exceptional scholars focused on innovative, forward-thinking solutions. This year, we created new interdisciplinary positions to foster cross-appointments, partnerships, and collaboration.
In 2023-24, we further developed the Reciprocity Project and established new knowledge hub partnerships, advancing our goal of building reciprocal partnerships and creating knowledge for advocacy and change.
Faculty Home to two new Canada Research Chairs
Our faculty has expanded its commitment to Indigenous family health with the addition of Drs. Marlyn Bennet and Caroline Tait, named as Canada Research Chairs (CRC) in 2023-24.
Jason Horne, Buffalo Run
Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health Equity and Inclusion
Dr. Caroline Tait
Dr. Tait, recognized as a Tier I CRC in June 2024, focuses on eliminating inequities faced by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Her recent work addresses organ donation and transplantation research, policy, and patient advocacy. She is dedicated to increasing research capacity in Indigenous communities and supporting new investigators.
Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Children’s Well-Being
Dr. Marlyn Bennett:
Named a Tier II CRC in August 2023, Dr. Bennett engages children and youth in storytelling, cultural practices, and digital story creation to promote Indigenous children's well-being. Her research fosters connections with land, water, and culture, aiming to support their successful pathways into adulthood.
Ajwang’ Warria: UCalgary Research Excellence Chair
In July 2024, Dr. Ajwang’ Warria was named a University of Calgary Research Chair, the third faculty member to receive this distinction.
Annual Growth
2024 Canada Research Chair Indigenous Health Equity and Inclusion
2024 Transdisciplinary professor hired
2024 UCalgary Research Chair 2024 Azrieli Accelerator Professorship
2024 Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Children’s Well-Being
2024 Faculty SSHRC research proposal written entirely in Cree receives federal funding
2024 Knowledge Hub created with Distress Centre Calgary
2023 Transdisciplinary faculty journal Transformative Social Work created
2023 Two new UCalgary research chairs
2023 Multisensory Studio launched
2023 Knowledge Hub created with Immigrant Services Calgary
2023 Luna Centre Research Hub launched
2020 Canada Research Chair in Multisensory Storytelling in Research and Knowledge Translation
2019 Transforming the Field Education Landscape Project
Research Awards and Recognition
UCalgary Killam Awards
The Killam Awards honour students and faculty for distinguished scholarship and research. Established in 1965 in memory of Canadian philanthropists Izaak and Dorothy Killam, the awards are a distinction only given by five post-secondary institutions, including UCalgary.
Killam Annual Professor Award
Lana Wells, MSW
Killam SSHRC Emerging Research Leader Award
Dr. Kathleen Sitter, PhD
Killam Predoctoral Laureates
Sandy Rao
Faculty of Social Work Annual Research Excellence Awards
Early Career Research Award
Dr. Patricia (Patti) Johnston, PhD
Research Innovation Award
Dr. Marlyn Bennett, PhD
Research Impact Award
Dr. Dora Tam, PhD
Research Funding 2023
Other Recognition 2023-24
Dr. Gina Dimitropoulos, PhD, was named to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists, which recognizes early-career scholars who have demonstrated excellence in advancing Canadian intellectual leadership across disciplines.
Dr. Julie Drolet, PhD, received the prestigious Emerald Award for Public Engagement and Outreach, recognizing her significant contributions to climate advocacy. The award celebrates environmental leadership and collaborative impact in Alberta.
Dr. Yeonjung Lee, PhD, was honored with the 2023 Recognition Award for Excellence in Research on Unpaid Caregiving by the Canadian Association on Gerontology.
Dr. Caroline Tait, PhD, was appointed to the Governing Council for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), where she will help support the translation of scientific knowledge into improved health services and products for Canadians.
Some 2023-24 impactful research highlights
Eating Disorder Research: National Study Outlines Staggering Costs Dr. Gina Dimitropoulos co-authored
a national study highlighting the sharp rise in costs associated with eating disorders in children and youth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2020 and 2022, emergency room visits increased by 126%, and hospitalizations by 60%. Dr. Dimitropoulos notes these costs are just the tip of the iceberg, as the lack of community support also led to loss of income for families and other unmeasured impacts on quality of life.
Field Education Research: Transforming the Field Education Landscape {TFEL) Field education, a cornerstone of social work, faces challenges in finding quality placements. Dr. Julie Drolet's TFEL project addresses this by linking research, teaching, and field education. Entering its final year, TFEL continues to lead globally in creating innovative solutions for experiential learning.
Gerontology Research: Planning for a More Inclusive Future Dr. Yeonjung Lee's research focuses on helping older adults remain in their communities. Her Communities of Concern for Older Adults project revealed that nearly three-quarters of Calgary's neighborhoods are rapidly aging, with six communities facing limited access to essential services. In 2023, her "photovoice" project, in which seniors documented neighborhood livability, shed light on both opportunities and challenges for aging in place.
Racial Justice Research: Building Bridges between Rwanda and Canada Dr. Regine Uwibereyeho King continues to bridge her work in Rwanda and Canada. Her Healing of Life Wounds project in Rwanda uses structured workshops to help survivors of genocide heal through storytelling and mutual support. In 2023, Dr. King led a knowledge co-creation workshop in Kigali and followed up with interviews in early 2024. In Canada, she is developing racial justice workshops for the UCalgary campus and partners, with a pilot planned for 2024-25.
Spotlight: Recovery on Campus Project
Dr. Victoria Burns’ Recovery on Campus project, which aims to create recovery-friendly spaces on campuses, gained momentum in 2023-24. The UCalgary Recovery Community Hub opened in October 2023, offering peer support, substance-free events, and drop-in spaces. This follows the success of UCalgary’s first substance-free housing, a partnership with Student Residence Services. Dr. Burns emphasizes that providing dedicated recovery spaces promotes wellness and inclusion across campuse
Spotlight: Spirituality in Social Work
Dr. Heather Boynton remains a national leader in integrating spirituality into social work to foster global well-being and transformation. As vice-president of the Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work, she co-chaired the 2023 conference and is now planning the 2025 transdisciplinary event at UCalgary, titled The Circle of Spirit: Evolving and Flourishing in an Age of Disruption.
2024 Research Symposium
The faculty’s annual Research Symposium continued its success with events in Edmonton, Calgary, and online. The 2024 symposium highlighted how transdisciplinary research brings together diverse perspectives to address complex social issues, fostering transformative change in society.