John Graham

Degrees: PhD in Social Work (University of Toronto), MSW (University of Toronto), MA in Canadian History (Queen's University), BA in Modern History (Trinity College, University of Toronto).

Interests: Employee well being. Previously published extensively on cross-cultural & international practice, homelessness, social policy, social welfare history, and spirituality.

Dr. John Graham has published extensively in international development (with a particular focus on Bedouin-Arab communities in the Middle East), Canadian social policy, social welfare history, spirituality and social work, multicultural social work, qualitative research, and homelessness. His current interests concentrate on employee well being, and in particular, subjective well being (happiness) in and out of the workplace.

He is a longstanding mentor to junior faculty and to graduate students, and is in high demand as a PhD supervisor. His coauthored book on Canadian social policy is the discipline's leading seller, and his writing was recently recognized as being among the top 50 most frequently cited for his discipline in the English speaking world, 2000-2010.

Graham has sat on twelve editorial/article advisory boards of internationally circulating journals, has held successive grants through SSHRC, the CIHR, and other major funders, is on the Publications Committee - Aid to Scholarly Publications Program at the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and frequently reviews for major funders and scholarly presses. He is the Murray Fraser Professor of Community Economic Development, an internally competitive research chair within the university. He also coordinated the Faculty's PhD program during two critical periods in its development.

Graham has held nearly $3 million in research funding, has published nearly 100 journal articles, 45 book chapters, and is completing his twelfth book. He has supervised or has sat on over 100 graduate student committees, works extensively with PhD and MSW students as a thesis and dissertation supervisor, publishes with several funded interdisciplinary teams of scholars, and employs numerous students as research assistants. Graham is founding co-organizer of the Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work and co-organized at the University of Calgary The Fifth North American Conference on Spirituality and Social Work, 2010. He also co-organized the Second Canadian Conference on Homelessness, held at the University of Calgary in 2009.

Before entering academic life, Graham worked at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, the John Howard Society, and at a food bank with the Anglican Church.

Research Projects:

• Graham, J. R., Nicholas, D., Newberry, A. (2012). Stress and well-being in Local 6. Alberta Union of Public Employees.
• Dowding J. et al., John R. Graham among them. (2011-2012). Co-investigator. Pathways to Housing. Province of Alberta.
• Jones, M., Blachford, D., Danhe, L., Graham, J. R., & Huang, J. (2011–2014). SSHRC Partnership Development Grant.
• Pulin, A., Brown, M., & Graham, J. R. Co-Investigator. (2011–2012). A qualitative investigation of the migrants' experience and their professional adaptation into social work practice in Canada SSHRC Standard Research Grant.
• Graham, J. R., & Tanescu, A. (2011). Youth Re-Housing Triage and Assessment Survey. Telus Corporation, Dollar Matched by the Calgary Homelessness Foundation.
• Walsh, C., Hanley, J., Guylaine, R., Sigalit, G., Este, D., & Graham, J. R. (2011). Uncovering invisibility(ies): Understanding experiences of newcomer women across the homelessness spectrum. HRSDC.
• Graham, J. R., Sirois, F., Bradshaw, C., & Koltutsky, L. (2010–2013). Principal Investigator. SSHRC Standard Research Grant, Subjective well being and the social services.
• Gaetz, S., Waegemakers Schiff, J., & Graham, J. R. (co-investigator) and others. (2010–2012). Responding to H1N1 in the Context of Homelessness in Canada, CIHR.
• Dean, L., Jones, M., & Graham, J. R. (2010–2011). Co-Applicant. Localizing social work in China, SSHRC International Opportunities Fund.
• Graham, J. R. and others, (2010–2011). Homelessness Secretariat, Province of Alberta. Establishment of Alberta Homelessness Research Consortium.
• Graham, J. R., Williamson, D., & Tanescu, A. (Principal Investigator). (2010–2011). The seven cities homelessness data: Analysing ethnic and racial parameters. HRSDC.
• Anucho, U., & 14 co-investigators, John R. Graham among them. (2009–2014). Assets Coming Together for Youth (ACTS). SSHRC Community University Research Alliance (CURA).
• Thompson, P., Veenendaal, J., & Graham, J. R. (2009–2011). Co-Principal Investigator. Landlord Research Project-Pilot, Alberta Real Estate Foundation.
• Gaetz, S., Waegemakers Schiff, J., & Graham, J. R. (co-investigator) & others. (2009–2010). Understanding Pandemic Preparedness in the Context of the Canadian Homelessness Crisis, CIHR.
• Thompson, P., Veenendaal, J. Graham, J. R. (2009–2010). Homelessness/housing research on relationship between landlords and those vulnerable to homelessness but housed. Calgary, Alberta. Calgary Foundation.
• Graham, J. R., Waegemakers-Schiff, J. (2009). Co-investigator. Understanding Pandemic Preparedness in the Context of the Canadian Homelessness Crisis (Catalyst Grant), CIHR.
• Jones, M., & Graham, J. R. (2008–2011). Sole Co-Investigator. Vulnerable Women and Canadian labour markets. SSHRC Standard Research Grant.
• Graham, J. R., & Waegemakers-Schiff, J. (2008–2009). Homelessness/housing 2009 National Conference, Calgary, Alberta. Calgary Foundation.
• Jones, M., & Graham, J. R. (2008–2009). Sole Co-Investigator. Homelessness services for the employed: A case study of Calgary homelessness services. SSHRC Homelessness and Diversity Strategic Grant.
• Walsh, C., & Graham, J. R. (2007–2009). Sole Co-Investigator. Optimal shelter design for homeless women: Site, situation, and service. SSHRC Homelessness and Diversity Strategic Grant.
• Graham, J. R. (2007–2008). Principal Investigator, Project: Creation of Poverty Research Institute, United Way Agencies: United Way.
• Graham, J. R. (2007–2008). Principal Investigator. UCALG. University of Calgary Visiting Professor Fund for Diana Coholic.
• Graham. J. R. 2007–2008). SSHRC Strategic Grant. Principal Investigator. In From the Cold: Working Homeless and Social Inclusion in Western Canada (Homelessness and Diversity Grant).
• Graham, J. R. (2007). Co-Principal Investigator. Torode Foundation: Mustard Seed Research – Community Capacity Building (Stage 2).
• Graham, J. R. (2007). Co-Principal Investigator. People and Place Initiative, City of Calgary: Mustard Seed.
• Graham, J. R. (2007). Principal Investigator. SSHRC Strategic Research Clusters Design Grant.
• Graham, J. R. (2006–2009). Principal Investigator .SSHRC Standard Research Grant, Subjective well being and Alberta Social Workers.
• Graham, J. R. (2006–2008). Principal Investigator. SSHRC Strategic (Northern) Research Grant. Subjective well being and social services in Canada’s north.
• Graham, J. R. (2006–2007). Internally Competitive Research Student Assistantships (2 USRP Health Sciences and 2 USRP University-Wide, Summer and Fall/Winter), University of Calgary.
• Coates, J., Graham, J. R., & Coholic, D. (2006–2008). Co-Investigator. SSHRC Cluster Strategic Research Initiative.
• Graham, J. R. (2006). Co-Principal Investigator. People and Place Initiative in Forest Lawn, Calgary, Canada Real Estate Foundation.
• Graham, J. R. (2006). Principal Investigator. Undergraduate Student Research Assistant Award, University of Calgary.
• Brownlee, K., & Graham, J. R. (2005–2008). SSHRC grant, Northern Research Strategic Grant. Localizing social work in Northern Canadian Contexts.
• Coates, J. et al. (2005). Conference Co-organizer. Fourth Annual Canadian Conference on Social Work and Spirituality, the Learneds, University of Western Ontario, Canada. SSHRC.
• Graham, J. R., & Kline, T. (2005). Principal Investigator. Institute for Advanced Policy Analysis, University of Calgary. Subjective well being and the social services.
• Jones, M. J., & Graham, J. R. (2004–2006). Co-investigator. Vulnerability and social welfare in Alberta and Saskatchewan. SSHRC Essential Skills Initiative.
• Graham, J. R. (2004–2005). Principal Investigator. Islam and social services in Canada. SSHRC Multiculturalism Initiative.
• Coates, J. et al. (2004). Conference Co-organizer. Third Annual Canadian Conference on Social Work and Spirituality, the Learneds, University of Manitoba, Canada. SSHRC.
• Graham, J. R. (2004). Attendee. Research Symposium, Calvin College, United States of America.
• Graham, J. R. (2004). Principal Investigator. Catalyst Infrastructure Program, University of Calgary.
• Graham, J. R. (2004). Principal Investigator. Faculty Application: Developing Research Alliances in Egypt. UIGC International Project Grants, University of Calgary.
• Graham, J. R. (2004). Principal Investigator. SSHRC grant, Major Collaborative Initiatives Interdisciplinary Research.
• Graham, J. R. (2004). Principal Investigator. University International Grants Committee, University of Calgary.
• Graham, J. R. (2003–2013). Principal Investigator. Murray Fraser Professor of Community Economic Development, University of Calgary. Reduced teaching load, research infrastructures.
• Graham, J. R. (2003–2007). Principal Investigator. Research Account for Fraser Professor in Community Economic Development, University of Calgary.
• Graham, J. R. (2003–2006). Principal Investigator. Essential Skills and Labour Market Attachment of Vulnerable Peoples, University of Calgary.
• Graham, J. R. (2003–2006). Principal Investigator. Islam and Social Work: Canadian and International Perspectives on Culturally Competent Social Work Knowledge. SSHRC.
• Graham, J. R. (2003–2004). Principal Investigator. Islam and social services in New York City. Muslims in New York City Research Project, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, United States of America.
• Coates, J. et al. (2003). Conference Co-organizer. Second Annual Canadian Conference on Social Work and Spirituality, the Learneds, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. SSHRC.
• Graham, J. R. (2003). Principal Investigator. (Chair, Organizer, and Applicant). Telus Workshop-Conference, May 2003, 60 Interdisciplinary Scholars from 4 continents, “Technology, Social Welfare, and the New Economy”.
• Graham, J. R. (2002). Principal Investigator. (Chair, Organizer, and Applicant). SSHRC grant, Initiatives for the New Economy. Interdisciplinary Scholars from 4 continents.
• Coates, J. et al. (2002). Conference Co-organizer. Second Annual Canadian Conference on Social Work and Spirituality, the Learneds, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. SSHRC.
• Graham, J. R. (2002). Principal Investigator. Calgary Institute for the Humanities Fellowship, University of Calgary. Purpose: Research on Islam and social work.
• Graham, J. R. (2000, 2003, 2006). Principal Investigator. Travel Grant to Disseminate Research. URGC Faculty Travel Grants.
• Graham, J. R. (2000). Principal Investigator. Health Canada Research. AIDS research.
• Graham, J. R. (1998–1999). Principal Investigator. University of Calgary URGC Grant. Purpose: AIDS research.
• Graham, J. R. (1997–1999). Principal Investigator. University of Calgary URGC Grant, University of Calgary International Funding (Research Enhancement Envelope) Program. Purpose: International social work research in the Middle East.                                  
• Graham, J. R., & Brownlee, K. (1997–1998). Ontario Ministry of Mines and Northern Development. Purpose: Research into family violence in northwestern Ontario.
• Graham, J. R. (1996–1999). Principal Investigator. Canadian social welfare historical research. SSHRC.
• Graham, J. R. (1996). Lakehead University Infrastructure Award. Purpose: Comparative cross-cultural social work research in the Middle East and northwestern Ontario.
• Graham, J. R. (1996). SSHRC, Lakehead University, Faculty Research Award. Purpose: Cross-cultural social work research in the Middle East.

• Courses