Margaret J. Harrison (BSN ’64)

Margaret Harrison is a Professor Emerita in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. She has a BSN from the University of British Columbia, an MSN from the University of Rhode Island, and a PhD(Family Studies) from the University of Alberta.

Her primary areas of expertise are community health nursing and family nursing and currently has two main research programs. One program focuses on early parenting of premature infants and child development and behaviour outcomes during preschool and school years.

This research is done in collaboration with Dr. Joyce Magill-Evans, Department of Occupational Therapy and Dr. Gary Holdgrafer, Department of Speech and Audiology, University of Alberta. These research projects include both mothers and fathers and a control group of term infants with their parents. Current funding is from Health Canada and the Medical Research Council. These research projects include both mothers and fathers and a control group of term infants with their parents. Current funding is from Health Canada and the Medical Research Council. Caregiving situations used in this research have included parenting premature infants and caring for a senior with cognitive impairment.

Other research interests include the use of nursing diagnosis in community health and the health of low-income women (in collaboration with Dr. Anne Neufeld and Dr. Linda Reutter, Faculty of Nursing).

Margaret’s special achievements and affiliations include:

  • Medical Research Council/National Health and Research Development Program Health Scholar (1995-2000)
  • Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Predoctoral Scholarship (1985-1987)
  • Province of Alberta Professional Training Bursary, (1985-1986)
  • Head of Graduating Class, Nursing, University of British Columbia, 1964)
  • University of British Columbia Alma Mater Society – Outstanding Academic Achievement (1964)
  • Vancouver Women’s Canadian Club Scholarship (1963)
  • Mary Graham Holland Scholarship in Nursing (1963)
  • University Scholarship in Nursing and Health (1961)
  • Cominco Scholarship (1960-1963)
  • Western Bakeries Scholarship (1960)
  • Percy Elliott Memorial Scholarship (1960)
  • University of British Columbia Alumni Scholarship (1959)
  • British Columbia Government Scholarships (1959-1963)
  • Member, Perinatal Research Centre, University of Alberta
  • Member, Mu Sigma Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International
  • Member, Alberta Community Health Nurses Society
  • Member, National Council on Family Relations
  • Member, Canadian Public Health Association
  • Member, Alberta Public Health Association
  • Member, Alberta Association of Registered Nurses