Laura Pickell

Associate Professor (Department of Health Sciences)

Laura Pickell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Carleton University. With more than 17 years of experience in higher education, her work focuses on experiential learning, community engagement and evidence-informed teaching innovation. She has developed expertise in partnership development, curriculum renewal, collaborative strategic planning and inclusive engagement practices. 

Pickell’s teaching and scholarship emphasize authentic and reciprocal partnerships that connect students with community organizations, schools, hospitals and other external partners through applied and community-based learning experiences. Through these initiatives, she seeks to enhance student learning while encouraging students to engage meaningfully with the communities around them. Pickell’s work also includes undergraduate research initiatives, health technology assessment partnerships, experiential learning programs and science outreach activities. 

Pickell has played an active role in institutional strategic initiatives, including contributing to Carleton University’s first Strategic Plan for Community Engagement. Her research and teaching interests are grounded in the belief that strong partnerships create meaningful opportunities for learning, collaboration and community impact. 

Through Pickell’s work in teaching, scholarship and strategic planning, she contributes expertise in experiential education, community-engaged learning and partnership development that supports long-term institutional and community goals.