William Hébert

William Hébert is a social-cultural anthropologist and interdisciplinary researcher based at Carleton University's Department of Law and Legal Studies. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and postdoctoral experience at Memorial University, he specializes in legal and medical anthropology, critical criminology, and gender/sexuality studies.

• Education: B.A. & M.A. from Concordia University, Ph.D. from University of Toronto
• Current Role: Principal Investigator for community-driven legal studies

His research focuses on marginalized populations' interactions with criminal justice institutions through two streams: ethnographic fieldwork and community-based research. Recent projects include Prisoners of Paradox, analyzing trans prison reforms, and a Department of Justice Canada-funded study on legal challenges faced by trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary individuals. He collaborates with organizations like Action Santé Travesti(e)s et Transsexuel(le)s du Québec and the Community-Based Research Centre.

Key contributions include critical analyses of:

• Trans rights implementation in correctional systems
• Harm reduction strategies in digital communities
• Queer activist spaces in Montreal and Toronto
• Intersectional challenges for trans migrant youth

Scientific awards include:

• Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
• SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship
• Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

He actively mentors students and emphasizes public engagement through policy consultancy, expert legal reports, and researcher-community collaborations like the On the Margins of Trans Legal Change symposium.