Speaker
Sheri Madigan, Ph.D, R.Psych.
Dr. Madigan is a clinical psychologist, Professor, Canada Research Chair (Tier II), and Director of the Determinants of Child Development Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Her research is primarily focused on understanding how children’s early social experiences and relationships can influence their learning and mental health trajectories. Embedded within this work is the examination of the transmission of intergenerational risks (i.e., from parent to child), particularly the identification of mechanisms that contribute to risk, as well as resiliency factors that mitigate them. Ultimately, she seeks to create and mobilize knowledge that advances the field of developmental science and impacts the lives of children and their families.
In collaboration with trainees, colleagues, and community partners, Dr. Madigan’s research draws on multiple research strategies including cohort studies, behavioral observational data, clinical intervention research, case file reviews, and meta-analytic data to examine the complex environments and contexts that shape familial relations and children’s development. Her research initiatives have sought to bring together interdisciplinary teams to be responsive to real-world issues, identify pressing research questions, bridge research-to-practice gaps, and address clinical concerns or community needs.
Trainee mentorship is one of her highest priorities. Her research team currently includes 3 postdoctoral fellows, 4 graduate students in Clinical Psychology, as well as research assistants, undergraduate students, and volunteers. She takes pride in having cultivated a highly supportive and productive lab environment characterized by strong teamwork, intellectual curiosity, and personal accountability.
Dr. Madigan’s research program is supported by federal and international grants ($>2.5M to date). She also has an excellent track record of publishing, with over >150 publications in journals such as Lancet Psychiatry, Psychological Bulletin, JAMA Pediatrics, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Child Development, and Child Abuse & Neglect, all premier outlets for new and innovative research across various disciplines. Her research has been widely covered in the media with >1000 known media reports worldwide on studies emerging from her lab. Dr. Madigan is the recipient of the World Association for Infant Mental Health Early Career Award, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Danieli Young Professional Award, and an elected member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.
Dr. Madigan engages in extensive knowledge translation to the public, including >25 opinion-editorials for The Conversation Canada on child health and development (see https://theconversation.com/profiles/sheri-madigan-417151/articles), which have been viewed >1M times globally, making her the most read author at the University of Calgary and one of the top 5 most read Canadian academics on this platform. She has also participated in >150 media interviews for print, radio, and television outlets (e.g., Good Morning America, The Nature of Things, The New York Times, TIME, Wall Street Journal, CNN, BBC, CBC, CTV, The Guardian, and The Globe and Mail, etc.). Dr. Madigan is also passionate about disseminating research to those interacting with children and youth, and regularly gives presentations to parents, caregivers, educators, clinicians, and health practitioners on child development and mental health. Dr. Madigan’s efforts in knowledge mobilization were recently recognized via receipt of a Public Engagement Award from the University of Calgary.
Overall, Dr. Madigan’s research endeavours have integrated novel methodological approaches to advancing theory in child development and psychopathology, demonstrated the value of continued community partnerships and applied research, and have influenced policy to improve children’s health outcomes.
Host
