Russ Callaghan

Dr. Russ Callaghan is a Professor in the Northern Medical Program at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and holds an Affiliate Professor position in the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia (UBC). His academic credentials include a PhD in Psychology from the University of Toronto (2004), an MA from UBC (1996), and a BA from UBC (1992). Prior to joining UNBC in 2013, he worked as a Research Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto.

His research focuses on the health impacts of cannabis use, including its association with psychotic syndromes, mortality, motor vehicle collisions, and cancer. He also examines mindfulness theory and its efficacy in health interventions. Ongoing projects explore the societal effects of Canada’s cannabis legalization, such as changes in crime rates, emergency department visits, and substance-related disorders. Dr. Callaghan collaborates across institutions, including UBC and CAMH, to advance public health policy and evidence-based practices.

While currently not accepting graduate students, he is available to supervise at UNBC and UBC’s School of Population and Public Health. His work has been published in journals like Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Accident Analysis & Prevention, and Cancer Causes & Control, with over 150 peer-reviewed articles. His research has informed national and international discussions on substance use policy and harm reduction strategies.