Click here for the Emerging Scholar Award

The McNally Project for Paramedicine Research is an initiative rooted in community efforts to enhance research capabilities within the field of paramedicine. It serves as a collaborative hub for both established and emerging scholars, dedicated to enriching the body of literature related to paramedic practice and thereby fostering the growth of paramedic knowledge. Embracing diversity, our membership spans a spectrum of interests and research expertise, ensuring a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to the scientific inquiry and evidentiary practices in paramedicine. Our vision of success is to cultivate a dynamic environment where researchers from various backgrounds can engage in dialogue, hone their investigative skills, and collaboratively advance the field. Progress within the McNally Project is gauged by the increasing number of paramedic researchers who can independently contribute significant insights to both the operational framework and the scholarly discourse of paramedicine. This award represents a high honor for the most significant contribution to the advancement of paramedicine in Canada, conducted by Canadians within the field of paramedicine.  

We define the most significant contribution as: 

  1. Relevance to Contemporary Issues: The research directly addresses current challenges or opportunities in paramedicine, demonstrating an urgent and clear connection to the needs of the profession. 
  2. Impact: The research has a measurable impact on the profession (change can be observed) or its contributions to healthcare, such as leading to new discoveries, changing practices or policies, supporting social missions, or advancing theoretical or conceptual frameworks.  
  3. Rigor: The research is conducted with a high level of rigor consistent with paradigm or methodology, using appropriate research methods and techniques.  
  4. Scope: The research is comprehensive and encompass a significant and broad (e.g., provincial, national or international) contribution to the profession.  
  5. Creativity: The research demonstrates creativity and innovation, such as developing new ways of thinking or approaches to an identified problem or question at hand. 
  6. Collaboration: The research demonstrates effective collaboration with others, such as working with colleagues from different disciplines or institutions, or involving stakeholders in the research process. 
  7. Communication: The research is effectively communicated to both academic and non-academic audiences, such as through publications, presentations, or other forms of dissemination. 
  8. Scalability and Sustainability: The research demonstrates potential for scalability, indicating that its findings can be applied broadly across different contexts or regions. The research also has the potential to be sustained over time and have a lasting impact on the field or broader society. 

Eligibility: 

The researcher:  

  1. Must be involved in paramedicine in Canada (e.g., holds paramedicine credentials, is employed in a paramedic service or system supporting paramedicine) 
  2. Must be the first author of the sample publication.   

The research: 

  1. Must have been published in the last 18 months.  
  2. Must have been published in a peer reviewed / academic journal.  

Submission Criteria  

  1. A nomination letter (maximum 1 page) endorsed by two nominators speaking to the criteria listed above. Self-nominations are not permitted.  
  2. Include the citation for the most significant contribution / publication.  
  3. Submission deadline: March 1, 2024.  
  4. Submissions can be made to: admin@mcnallyproject.ca  
  5. Questions: Contact walter.tavares@utoronto.ca  

Recognition 

The recipient of this award will: 

  1. Receive a plaque clearly stating the official name and year of the award. 
  2. Be invited to an award ceremony attended to by peers and leaders in the paramedicine community.  
  3. Receive a profile feature on the McNally Project communication platforms and be presented in public announcements.   
  4. Be invited to speak to highlight their expertise and contributions. 
McNally Project Research Award – Most Significant Contribution