Jordana Salma, PhD, MN, RN

Area of Study / Keywords

Aging Migration Transnationalism Intersectionality Post-Colonial Theory Community-based participatory methods Qualitative methods

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About

Degrees:

• Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Alberta, Health and Immigration Policies and Practices Research Program (2017-2018)
• PhD, Nursing, University of Alberta (2017)
• MN, Nursing, University of Alberta (2009)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Honors Program, Lebanese University, Beirut (2005)

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Research

My program of research (IREA: Implementing Research for Equity in Aging) focuses on the health and well being of immigrant and racialized older adults in Canada. I am particularly interested in exploring cross-cultural and transnational dimensions of aging and the ways dominant health and immigration policies, practices, and discourses shape aging experiences. A second major component of my research program involves community-based and co-designed intervention research to promote social connectedness, physical activity, and chronic disease management in diverse older adults. I have also collaborated on research related to immigrant women, youths, and families. The majority of my research to date has been with African, South Asian, Arab, and Muslim populations. I draw from Feminist, Transnational, and Post-Colonial perspectives and my methodological expertise is in qualitative and participatory methods. I have led projects using interpretive description, thematic analysis, community-based participatory approaches, and mixed-methods. I have experience managing qualitative data in non-English languages where I collected and analyzed data in Arabic and worked extensively with community interpreters across multiple languages.

Current Funded Research Projects:

• Salma, J. (PI), Kleib, M., & Hongmei, T. (2020-2023). Exploring Information and Communication Technology Use and Digital Learning in Older Arab Immigrants: A Community-Based Participatory Research Project. SSHRC Insight Development Grant, $59,047. 

• Salma, J. (PI), Hongmei, T., Kennedy, M., Jones, A., Haidong, L., Meherali, S., Khan, S., Flynn, R., & Chamberlain, S. (2020- 2021). Does it Work and for Whom? A Realist Systematic Review of Interventions to Promote Physical Activity in Immigrant Older Adults. Seniors Health SCN, Alberta, Knowledge Synthesis Grant, $14,900

• Salma, J. (PI), & Kobayashi, K. (2020-2023). Muslim Women in Canada: Understanding and Mobilizing for Social Connectedness in Older Age. SSHRC, Insight Grant, $99,835.

• Guruge, S. (PI), Sethi, B., Walsh, C., Cloutier, D., Tong, H., Ferrer, I., Ploeg, J., Shields, J., Salma, J. (Co-Investigator), Kobayashi, K., Laquerre, V., Markle-Reid, M., Charpentier, M., St-Amant , O., Massoui, S., Agrawal, S., Koehn, S., Hordyk, S., Chau, S., Sidani, S., Zhuang, Z. (2020-2027). Inclusive Communities for Older Immigrants (ICOI): Developing Multi-level, Multi-Component Interventions to Reduce Social Isolation and Promote Connectedness Among Older Immigrants in Canada. SSHRC Partnership Grant-Stage 2, $2,499,970.

•  Yamamoto, S., Allyson, J., Osornio Vargas, A.,Sapkota, B., Hodgins, S., & Salma, J. (Co-Investigator). (2020-2021). Mind the Gap: Assessing Climate Change Vulnerability Across Populations. SSHRC-Knowledge Synthesis Grant. $50,000.

• Yamamoto, S (PI), Salma, J. (Co-PI), Bulut, O., & Jones, A. (2019-2021). Building Community Climate Change Knowledge and Resilience in Older Adults and Immigrants. Commission for Environmental Cooperation, North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action, $155,000.

• Tong, H. (PI), Salma, J. (Co-Investigator), Turcotte, K., & Dhungel, R. (2019-2021). Using intergenerational digital storytelling to understand social isolation, loneliness, and resilience among Chinese immigrants: a pilot community-based participatory study. SSHRC Institutional Grant, MacEwan University, $16,300.

• Yamamoto, S (PI), Salma, J. (Co-PI), Bulut, O., & Jones, A. (2019-2021). Climate Change, Older Adults and Immigrants: Exploring Community Vulnerability and Resilience. Cities IPCC Legacy Research Grant Program, $50,000.

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Teaching

 My philosophy of teaching builds on Feminist tenets of empowerment, reciprocity, and reflexivity. I aim to create safe spaces for learning inside and outside the classroom. I have taught NURS 311 ( Evidence-Informed Nursing Practice), NURS 221 (Introduction to Acute Care Nursing), NURS 502 (Nature of Nursing Knowledge), NURS 513 (Qualitative Research Methods), and NURS 546 (Philosophy of Teaching).

I am currently accepting graduate students with interests in social dimensions of aging, chronic disease management, and immigrant/racialized older adults' health. I am especially seeking masters students who wish to complete a thesis and doctoral students. Students will have the opportunity to work with interdisciplinary research teams on a diverse range of projects where they will be exposed to writing for publication, integrated-knowledge translation activities, community-based participatory research activities with diverse ethno-cultural and immigrant communities, and qualitative/mixed research methods.

NURS 425 - Nursing Leadership in a Focus Area

This leadership experience provides opportunity to consolidate prior learning and develop confidence and competence as students prepare to transition to the role of the Registered Nurse. The focus is on collaboration with interprofessional teams, systems thinking, and healthcare system change. Students evaluate the influence of evidence, policy and legislation on decision-making in complex health systems using a relational practice lens. Students demonstrate and enhance their own relational capacity as leaders and innovators for 21st Century Canadian healthcare. Fieldwork hours listed are the total number of hours and will be offered over 12 weeks. Prerequisites: All courses in the program except NURS 422, INT D 420 and NURS 485. Corequisite: NURS 422 and INT D 420.

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NURS 604 - Fundamentals of Aging

A critical analysis of the issues and environments that influence the lives of older Canadians. Focus is on theories and knowledge about age-related normative and non-normative changes and their interaction with the physical, social, community and policy environments of older adults.

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Browse more courses taught by Jordana Salma

Salma, J., Jones, A., Ali, S., Salami, B., & Yamamoto, S.

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 2020 May;

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Salma, J. & Salami, B.

The Gerontologist. 2020 January; 60 (2):279-290

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Salma, J. & Salami, B.

Health & Social Care in the Community. 2019 November; 28 (2):615-623

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Salma, J., Keating, N., Ogilvie, L., & Hunter, K. F.

Nursing Inquiry. 2018 December; 25 (2):e12226