Christopher Canning, PhD, is the Director of Research & Academics at the Waypoint Research Institute and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry. With 15 years’ experience in mental health research and policy development, he has co-authored over 40 publications and mental health policy reports.
Christopher’s research focuses on mental health policy, patient-oriented research in forensic mental health settings, and integrating physical and mental healthcare in acute care settings. He currently leads projects on embedding participatory research across forensic healthcare settings and national policy development on mental health and criminal justice in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Christopher is also the co-lead of an international community of practice advancing participatory research in forensic mental health settings. As a person with lived experience, he is deeply and personally committed to equity, anti-oppression, and centering lived expertise in all aspects of his research and system reform.