Child Health and Wellness

For better health and wellbeing of children, families and communities around the world.

Research Strategy

Launched in November 2020, the Child Health and Wellness research strategy provides a collaborative direction for research at the University of Calgary and in partnership with community. This transformative strategy puts children and their families at the centre of research and innovation.

Read the strategy

Research in child health and wellbeing has the power to transform the future for children, families and communities. When we effectively treat illnesses and prevent stressors in babies and children, the benefits to children and their families are monumental.

Study uncovers critical role cilia play in brain development and communication

Drs. Jiami Guo and Lizheng Wang say scientists are just beginning to appreciate the significance of cilia in the brain.

Drs. Greg Guilcher and Sarah McQuillan at the Alberta Children's Hospital.

Researchers help preserve fertility options for children impacted by cancer

Drs. Sarah McQuillan, Gregory Guilcher and team are giving children and adolescents whose fertility may be impacted by cancer, or treatments associated with cancer, new hope of having their own biological child, one day.

Community partnership aims to enhance child wellness

Dr. Gabrielle Wilcox is partnering with the Calgary Police Youth Foundation to evaluate the efficacy of their Integrated School Support Program (ISSP).

Everly Tram sitting outside Alberta Children's Hospital

One Child Every Child

A Canada-first research initiative with a vision for all children to be healthy, empowered and thriving.

Learn more

Latest news

Dr. Fiona Schulte appointed associate dean, Research Grants

Appointment effective Jan. 1, 2025

Dr. Kerryn Carter appointed department head, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine

Appointment effective Jan. 1, 2025

Health-care experiences lead Haskayne alum down entrepreneurship path

Cole’s Shirt provides ‘port-accessible’ clothing for hospitalized kids

UCalgary Nursing now home to two executive leaders of Canadian Nurses Association

Bukola Salami, CNA vice-president, joins Tracie Risling, CNA president-elect at the Faculty of Nursing

Grand Challenge Catalyst Awards

These awards are designed to catalyze diverse multidisciplinary research teams to work on new research projects that address one or more of the grand challenge areas and/or overarching approaches.

View Round 2 awardees View Round 1 awardees

The Child Health and Wellness research strategy is led by the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) in partnership with Alberta Health Services, the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, and our visionary community to create a better future for children through research. This collaborative community includes investigators from: Arts, Cumming School of Medicine, Kinesiology, Nursing, Owerko Centre, Schulich School of Engineering, Science, Social Work, Veterinary Medicine and Werklund School of Education.

Collaborations with Cumming School of Medicine Research Institutes; Infections, Inflammation and Chronic Diseases; Human Dynamics in a Changing World; Engineering Solutions for Health; Brain and Mental Health; UCalgary Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; the Azrieli Accelorator as well as ii' taa'poh'to'p are critical to accelerating outcomes.

Child health has long been the focus of this diverse group of researchers at the University. Four decades of generous support from the community has fueled research excellence. Today, this group includes over 370 investigators and more than 700 trainees and research staff.

Child Health and Wellness researchers from across campus engaged with child and youth-facing agencies, community members and leaders to develop this strategy. This dynamic journey, involving 640 participants from 40 organizations, illuminated the intersection between the University of Calgary’s research strengths, strategic opportunities and the needs of the community.