Lisa Forman

Lisa Forman is a Full Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Human Rights and Global Health Equity at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. She is cross-appointed to the Faculty of Law and focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of international human rights law, global health policy, and trade agreements.

• Education: BA and LLB from University of the Witwatersrand (1993), MA in Human Rights from Columbia University (2001), SJD from University of Toronto (2006)
• Key Research Areas: Right to health in international law, trade agreements and medicines access, Sustainable Development Goals, International Health Regulations, social determinants of health.

Recent Publications (2020-2024) analyze the interplay between human rights and: (1) travel restrictions during pandemics, (2) vaccine equity, (3) trade-related intellectual property, and (4) structural inequities affecting marginalized communities.

• Scientific Awards: Canada Research Chair (2014-2025), Brocher Foundation Fellowship (2023), Ludwik and Estelle Jus Prize (2015), Connaught New Researcher Award (2012/13).
• Grants: CIHR, SSHRC, European Commission, WHO, and Connaught Fund projects (2006-2025).
• Visiting Positions: Foundation Brocher (Switzerland), Boston College Law School, University of Cape Town, Tel Aviv University.
• Leadership: Director of Comparative Program on Health and Society (2009-2017), member of Ontario COVID-19 Bioethics Table, Global Health Law Consortium.