PRBA Names Florence Johnson 2026 James S. Jackson Emerging Scholar
January 21, 2026
Florence Johnson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Clinical Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, has been named the next James S. Jackson Emerging Scholar by the Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA) at the Institute for Social Research (ISR).
“Dr. Johnson is a very strong junior scholar, and she will continue the legacy of James Jackson,” said PRBA Director Robert Joseph Taylor, a mentee of the pioneering social psychologist known for his research on race and ethnicity, racism, and health and aging among Black Americans. “Dr. Johnson’s position in the School of Nursing also reflects the interdisciplinary nature of PRBA and James’ vision.”
Dr. Johnson is a PRBA affiliate whose research focuses on the intersection of caregiving, mental health, and health equity, with an emphasis on dementia caregiving. Her work highlights the mental health toll and systemic barriers encountered by Black caregivers in particular, advocating for culturally responsive interventions and community-based support systems to enhance caregiver resilience and well-being.
Dr. Johnson’s recent works include investigations of the experiences of caregivers and people living with dementia during the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as factors contributing to resilience among Black caregivers.
The James S. Jackson Emerging Scholars Award was established to extend the mentoring efforts of PRBA by providing support for rising University of Michigan research scientists. The endowment honors James S. Jackson, who served as director of the Research Center for Group Dynamics and the Institute for Social Research. The award is designed to support emerging scholars who are often at an especially creative and productive yet fragile career stage.
“This means more than I can express,” said Dr. Johnson. “The first time I heard someone talk about Dr. Jackson at the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) annual meeting, I was struck with awe at the profound impact he had on the scholars and on everyone fortunate enough to learn from him. I remember quietly wishing that I had met him. I could never have imagined that one day I would be honored with an award that carries his name. I am deeply, truly honored.”
Dr. Johnson added that she would carry forward James Jackson’s legacy of mentorship.
“This quote not only captures who he was, but also what so many have shared about his spirit and his legacy,” said Johnson, citing Jackson’s words: “None of us get there on our own. No one becomes successful without the assistance of other. I know, because it’s been the people in my life, past and present – students, family, mentors – that have guided me over all these years.”
Dr. Johnson received a PhD Dissertation Award in 2024 from the Gerontological Nursing Science Research and Implementation Interest Group (RIIG), Midwest Nursing Research Society; she received an Excellence in Mentorship award from Sigma Theta Tau, Rho Chapter, in 2022.
Dr. Johnson received a BSN from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, in 1990; she completed her MSN and MHA at the University of Phoenix and completed her doctorate at the University of Michigan in 2023.
Dr. Johnson is the fourth recipient of the James S. Jackson Emerging Scholar Award, following Myles Durkee, Mosi Ifatunji, and Katrina Ellis from the fields of sociology, psychology, and social work.
The Program for Research on Black Americans is recognized for surveys and methods foundational to the field of social research on Black Americans and for its legacy of mentorship to its leading scholars. PRBA is housed by the Research Center for Group Dynamics (RCGD) at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, advancing the understanding of human behavior in social contexts.
Contact: Tevah Platt, [email protected]