Colleen McGrath, PhD
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellowship (Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences)
- PhD (深夜福利站)
- MSc Occupational Therapy (McMaster)
- BA Health Studies and Gerontology (McMaster)
Graduate Program Supervision
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences |
Research In Profile
Professor Colleen McGrath is a leading Canadian researcher whose innovative program of research is focused on the occupational needs of older adults experiencing age-related vision loss (ARVL; including macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy). Her research is situated in critical theoretical approaches, including critical gerontology and disability studies. Professor McGrath’s work adopts a qualitative approach, often utilizing participatory methods of data collection.
Featured Publications and Projects
Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals
- Fuchigami, K., McGrath, C., Bengall, J., Kim, S., & Laliberte Rudman, D. (2022). Assistive Technology Use Among Older Adults with Vision Loss: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Canadian Newspapers. Canadian Journal on Aging 41(2), 154-163.
- Kang, J., McGrath, C., Laliberte Rudman, D., & Hand, C. (2022). The role of social networks in the occupational engagement of older adults with age-related vision loss: A narrative inquiry. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health.
- McGrath, C., Karsan, I., Corrado, AM., Lyons, TA., & Blue, M. (2021). The impact of combined age-related vision loss and dementia on the participation of older adults: A scoping review. PLOS One, 16(2), 1-17.
- McGrath, C., & Hand, C. (2021). Engagement in the social context of the neighbourhood: A critical ethnographic study of older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL). Wellbeing, Space & Society, 2 (100041).
- McGrath, C., & Laliberte Rudman, D. (2019). Using participant observation to enable critical understandings of disability in later life: An illustration conducted with older adults with low vision. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18, 1-11.
- Benjamin-Thomas, TE., Corrado, AM., McGrath, C., Laliberte Rudman, D., & Hand, C. (2018). Working towards the Promise of Participatory Action Research: Learning from Ageing Research Exemplars. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 17(1), 1-13.
Visit for a comprehensive list of publications.
Current Grants and Research Projects
- McGrath, C., Laliberte Rudman, D., Hand, C., Sukhai, M., Stone, M., Fitzgeorge, B., & Price, D. (2020-2025). Enacting a critical participatory action research process with older adults aging with vision loss: A focus on community mobility. SSHRC Insight Grant. $220,432.
- McGrath, C., Laliberte Rudman, D., Hand, C., Sukhai, M.,(2020-2022). A photo-elicitation study with older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL): A focus on risk. FHS Catalyst Grant. $10,000.
Featured Graduate Student Projects
- Sheldrake, Elena (2019). MSc, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
- Cao, Peiwen (2020). MSc, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
- Kang, Melissa (2021). MSc, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
- Stampp, Zakara (2022). MSc, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Visit for a list of completed student theses and dissertations in the repository.
Graduate Student Opportunities
Prospective students have the opportunity to join an existing project related to age-related vision loss or can propose their own qualitative research project related to older adults. Email professor McGrath directly for more information.
Additional Information
Awards
- 2022: School of Occupational Therapy Excellence in Teaching Award.
- 2017-2020: Faculty of Health Science Award for Teaching Excellence
Professional Activities
- 2021- Present. Chair, Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT) En-AGE Advisory Council (see: https://en-age.ca/).
- 2021. Peer Reviewer of the World Health Organization (WHO) Package of Eye Care Interventions (PECI) on Vision Rehabilitation.
- 2020-Present. Item Generation Coordinator, National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam (NOTCE), Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
- 2016-Present. Member, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) Occupational Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation Network (OTVRN).
