Mifi Purvis

University faculty magazines have become about much more than congratulating researchers on their academic achievements. Modern faculty magazines are a place to share ideas, inform the public about historical breakthroughs, and remind readers why universities are so essential in a contemporary world. Mifi Purvis’s role at the University of Alberta is not to oversee a general faculty publication detailing the institution’s greatest hits. Rather, she’s the editor behind five separate magazines, requiring her to be an expert in science, pharmacy, nursing, and the goings-on at the University’s Augustana Campus in Camrose — all while recruiting and shepherding skilled writers who can speak to all of those facets of academia in an engaging and easily digestible way.

Purvis took on the editor’s role in 2022 and has transformed the way the university’s faculties uses publications to communicate their work with the general public. And she’s not only an intelligent editor full of ideas — her good humour, kindness, and ability to see fascinating general interest stories within each researcher’s work have made all four magazines must-reads for university insiders and the general public.

Through it all, Purvis also maintains a role as the editor of the University of Alberta’s award-winning alum magazine New Trail and continues to fulfill her passion for breaking in and mentoring emerging freelance writers. It’s no wonder the University of Alberta trusted Purvis to turn nursing, science, pharmacy, and community campus matters into captivating topics — her curiosity, thoughtfulness, and open-mindedness is infectious, making anything she touches a must-read.