U of R psychology professor rated one of the best in Canada

Posted: December 13, 2012 9:30 a.m.

Gordon Asmundson, seen here in his lab, says his colleagues and students helped him to be named one of the most influential psychologists in Canada. Photo: U of R Photography

Psychology professor Gordon Asmundson is ranked third on a list of 255 clinical psychologists in Canada. The rankings were determined by a study published in Canadian Psychology magazine entitled Assessing the Publication Productivity of Clinical Psychology Professors in Canadian Psychological Association-Accredited Canadian Psychology Departments, which measures both quality and quantity of research. The rankings are based on a combination of measurements, including how frequently their research has been published, and how often their research is cited by other researchers.

“It’s very gratifying. Being one of the most cited people in your field means there are many people using my work one way or another to influence their work,” says Asmundson.

His research focuses on chronic pain and anxiety disorders – and the linkages between the two.

Clinical psychologists are interested in improving people’s lives by intervening and providing treatment to those for whom mental health issues may limit what they can do. It could be a fear of leaving home or flying on an airplane, or it could be suicidal thoughts.

Most of the researchers on the list are from larger universities, including Dalhousie, McGill, Simon Fraser, the University of British Columbia and Western Ontario. “I think it says a lot about our research enterprise here at the University of Regina,” says Asmundson

Asmundson earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in psychology at the University of Manitoba. He moved to Regina in 1993 and served as Research Director at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, and in 2002 he became a full-time professor at the University of Regina. When he’s not at his office or lab, he spends a lot of time with his family – his wife, 13-year-old daughter, and six-year-old son.

Asmundson thinks this recognition should be shared with his colleagues and students. “I couldn’t produce the knowledge and understanding of these conditions without the support of my colleagues, my students and the institution. I’m not doing this alone. I’m doing this with a team. And that means the whole team is excelling at what they do.”

Link to the paper: www.yorku.ca/health/documents/Carleton_Parkerson_Horswill_in_press.pdf