The McNally Project is a grassroots initiative intended to build research capacity in paramedicine.  We’re a community, of and for, researchers and those hoping to become researchers. We strive to contribute knowledge to the literature on paramedicine and topics related to paramedicine.

Our community is intentionally diverse, with broad research interests and a range of research experience. What we find interesting, how we conduct research, and our approaches to science and evidence are also diverse.

We have educational goals, but allow that to exist organically and informally. We call it success when we give researchers of all types a place to talk about, work on, and refine research and research skills, and when more and more independent researchers exist in the system.

Our goals

To foster the growth and development of research capacity within and related to paramedicine in Canada through:

  1. Collaboration: To be a medium within which researchers can network, share ideas, and collaborate.
  2. Education: To provide teaching, learning, and mentoring to paramedics wanting to learn more about research in paramedicine.
  3. Engagement: To engage the paramedicine community in the generation and dissemination of new knowledge that advances the profession.
  4. Advocacy: To advocate for the sustained growth of research capacity within paramedicine in Canada in the form of financial support, protected time, dedicated research positions, and the advancement of high quality clinical and social science research.

Our structure

Recognizing that our members come to the McNally Project at different points in their academic and research career, we want to create an environment that best aligns with and supports the educational needs of members who are actively engaged in research along a trajectory toward that of an independent researcher. Our organizational structure is intended to guide and set expectations around participation in the McNally Project community. This explicit focus on research is meant to align with the overall strategic goal of the McNally Project to foster the growth and development of research capacity within and related to paramedicine in Canada. This structure is subject to continued change as negotiated by members of the McNally Project. 

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Scientist

PhD holders

  1. Scientists have completed and hold a PhD/DPhil degree.
  2. Scientists must hold either a) an academic appointment (includes adjunct appointments) that obligates research and allows them to formally supervise graduate students (trainees); or, b) hold a non-academic appointment that facilitates contributions towards research and supervision of trainees.
  3. Scientists should have a history of securing competitive funding, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
  4. Scientists are responsible for mentoring/teaching members and trainees of all levels.
  5. Scientists should attend the majority (~70%) of meetings, actively engage in and moderate meeting discussions, and present at meetings as appropriate.

Senior Fellow

PhD candidates/students; Professional Doctorate candidates/students/holders

  1. Senior Fellows are currently enrolled in a PhD/DPhil or Professional Doctorate program with a substantial research requirement that includes the completion of a dissertation/thesis; or, hold a non-PhD doctoral degree (e.g. EdD, JD) and demonstrated evidence of research contributions.
  2. Senior Fellows are responsible for mentoring/teaching fellows and members
  3. Senior Fellows should attend the majority (~70%) of meetings, actively engage in and moderate meeting discussions, and present at least once per academic term

Fellow

Masters candidates; Masters holders

  1. Fellows have either completed or are enrolled in a Master’s program with a substantial research (i.e., dissertation/thesis) requirement, or have demonstrated evidence of research contributions if no substantial research requirement.
  2. Fellows are recommended to attend a majority (~50%) of meetings, actively engage in the discussion and present at least once per academic year

Member

  1. Members have no specific credentialing requirements, but have an interest in research or pursuing graduate studies
  2. Members are welcome to attend meetings, contribute to the discussion, and bring work  
  3. Members are recommended to attend at least ~25% of meetings

Collaboration

Our aims of fostering research capacity in paramedicine, of contributing knowledge to the literature and of being diverse in our approaches and contributions are made more feasible when we are partnered and collaborative. We see value in engaging with and learning from others who have similar interests. As such, our membership also includes “collaborators”. Collaborators are those who:

  • Have not or do not practice as a paramedic, AND
  • Have a history of leading, participating in or supporting paramedicine related research, AND
  • Whose primary role is outside of paramedicine (e.g., nurse, engineer, policy, scholar in an academic institution, physician, other allied health, public health or public safety roles), AND
  • Who have an interest in or are currently researching paramedicine or conducting research in paramedicine contexts, AND
  • Those looking to support or participate in the aims of the McNally Project

‘Collaborators’ can then be assigned to the categories as described above (e.g., ‘Collaborator- Scientist’, ‘Collaborator-Senior Fellow’) as per the definitions above.

International Collaboration

As of December 2022, we are open to applications from international paramedicine colleagues at the level of Scientist or Senior Fellow only. This will provide international colleagues with access to the McNally Project in order to support research capacity building in their home country. These members will be identified as ‘International Collaborators’ at the appropriate level outlined above.

Executive Committee

The executive committee is responsible for project-level direction including agenda-setting, meeting schedules, administrative duties, and communications. This committee monitors and evaluates progress against strategic goals, and meets regularly. The membership of the committee is outlined below.

Structure of Meetings

Meetings are held bi-weekly online via web-conferencing software (we currently use Zoom). Generally, meetings will be open to all members; however, specific meetings or portions of specific meetings may be designated for fellows, senior fellows, or scientists as appropriate given the particular agenda. This will be evaluated on an as-needed basis and is intended to create a learning environment that best reflects the specific needs of the particular group and also to protect sensitive or confidential material, such as study data.

Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the McNally Project would like to acknowledge all original peoples and protectors of the land we gather on during our meetings. We collectively gather across the unceded traditional territories and homelands of the many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Turtle Island. We offer honour and gratitude to the land and water itself and to the ancestors caring for this land since time immemorial. It is a privilege to live, work, learn and play here. May this gratitude represent one small part of our commitment to healing.

Join our Community

If you are interested in joining our community, please contact us.