Julia Abelson is a Professor of Health Policy in the Department of Health Evidence and Impact at McMaster University where she is also leads the Public and Patient Engagement Collaborative which works at the research-practice interface to support high-quality engagement in health research, health systems and policy. Over her 25-year career, Dr. Abelson has held numerous research grants and career awards from provincial and national funding agencies in Canada and the United States focused on strengthening health policy and health systems through democratic participation. Through her research and advisory activities, she works closely with policy makers, health systems leaders, citizens and people with lived and living experience in Canada and around the globe.