The BSIA community was saddened to lose Dr. Margaret Walton-Roberts, a treasured mentor, scholar and friend, on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Margaret was a role model for so many at the School, as a brilliant lecturer, a kind and caring friend and colleague, and a passionate researcher. Her contributions to the field of international migration were not only significant in scholarship, but also carried the warmth, curiosity and integrity that defined Margaret’s character.
Margaret joined Wilfrid Laurier University in 2002, and became connected to the BSIA as soon as it was established. She played a pivotal role in the creation and leadership of the International Migration Research Centre (IMRC), which is housed at the BSIA, helping to build a vibrant and inclusive research community. Margaret was a popular professor at the School, and also co-lead the BSIA’s Migration, Mobilities and Social Politics research cluster for several years, and served on the School’s Research Committee.
Trained in human geography in both the United Kingdom and Canada, Margaret devoted her academic career to the study of international migration, with a focus on gender and immigration, transnational networks and immigrant settlement. Her recent research explored the global migration of health care professionals, as well as international student migration. Margaret’s work was widely published, with more than 50 journal articles and 43 book chapters, supported by numerous external research grants.
Margaret’s many contributions were recognized through numerous awards, including six Laurier Merit Awards, the Faculty Mentoring Award from the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association in 2014, and, most recently, the Order of Wilfrid Laurier University in June 2025.
Margaret was also, most importantly, a wonderful wife to Ben; a loving mum to her three boys, Will, Sam and Calum; and a daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many. She will be sorely missed by all.
Margaret will continue to be present in every corner of the BSIA – in our thoughts, our conversations, and our hearts.
The BSIA will host her Celebration of Life at the School on Saturday, September 13th at 2 pm. If you are unable to attend but would like to be present please use this Zoom link. We intend to start the Zoom webinar at 2:00pm ET/7:00pm GMT/11:00am PT.
To read Margaret’s obituary and leave condolences, please visit the Henry Walser Funeral Home website.