David Walters

David Walters is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Guelph, serving as Coordinator of the Sociology Graduate Programs. He holds a PhD in Sociology from McMaster University. His research focuses on advanced statistical methods, applied statistics, and substantive areas including the sociology of education, immigration, mental health, criminal justice policy, and school-to-work transitions for marginalized youth. He has secured over $1.8 million in research funding, including a SSHRC Insight Grant examining cannabis consumption post-legalization and a SSHRC partnership project linking school and workforce data for disadvantaged youth.

Dr. Walters teaches graduate-level quantitative research (SOC 6130) and undergraduate research methods courses, emphasizing practical skills for academia and non-academic careers. His mentorship has led to student placements at organizations like Statistics Canada, CSIS, and the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety. He actively supervises graduate students on policy-oriented projects and co-authors work in top journals. Current projects include analyzing cannabis market dynamics and equitable pathways for marginalized youth.

He serves on dissertation committees, reviews for journals like Canadian Review of Sociology, and contributed to the Council of Canadian Academies report on PhD labor market outcomes. His initiatives, such as co-authoring a methods textbook with PhD students, highlight his commitment to teaching innovation and student success.