Jino Distasio is a Professor and Acting Dean of Science at The University of Winnipeg, Department of Geography. He teaches Urban Geography, Cultural Geography, and Social Geography, with courses like GEOG-3413 Urban Revitalization and GEOG-3430 Housing and Neighbourhood Planning . His research focuses on housing and neighborhood development, city planning, urban revitalization, homelessness, mental health, and urban transportation. Teaching Areas : Urban Geography, Cultural Geography, Social Geography Key Collaborations : Institute of Urban Studies (U. of Winnipeg), Housing First initiatives, interdisciplinary teams in public health and social policy His recent publications highlight Housing First interventions, urban policy impacts on homelessness, and social determinants of health. Scientific awards and honors were not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Dr. Daniel Dutton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine, based at the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick campus in Saint John. His research focuses on how social environments influence health outcomes and the role of government policies in mitigating these impacts, particularly in areas like poverty, homelessness, and health economics. He holds adjunct roles at the University of New Brunswick (Sociology) and is the Scientific Director of APPTA, a hub bridging aging research and policy. He teaches courses in epidemiology, population health, and statistics. Education: PhD in Community Health Sciences (University of Calgary) MA in Economics (University of Calgary) BA Honours in Economics (Queen’s University) Research Interests: Dr. Dutton examines population-level health determinants, government policy effectiveness, and socioeconomic disparities. His work employs large datasets and econometric models to analyze topics such as homelessness incidence, healthcare cost savings through preventive measures, and the distributional impacts of public spending. Key Contributions: Scientific Director of the APPTA aging and technology hub. Co-founder of the IMPART research collaborative. Author of influential studies on Housing First programs, opioid prescribing patterns, and the fiscal benefits of guaranteed annual income policies. Advising & Grants: Supervises multiple MSc students and has collaborated on grants analyzing healthcare utilization in New Brunswick and Alberta. His work often intersects with policy-making, emphasizing actionable insights from quantitative research. Labs & Teams: Leads the Dutton Research Group, which uses mascot Odin the Saint Bernard to foster team cohesion. Active in interdisciplinary collaborations across public health, sociology, and economics.
Ryan K. McBain is a Senior Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation and an Adjunct Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. His work focuses on designing and evaluating health policies targeting vulnerable populations, including those affected by mental health conditions, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and poverty. He employs methodologies such as econometric analysis, cost-effectiveness modeling, and qualitative research. Internationally, he collaborates with organizations like the World Bank, WHO, and Partners In Health in sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti. McBain holds a D.Sc. and M.Sc. in Global Health (Health Economics & Policy Analysis) from Harvard University and a B.A. in Psychology from Gordon College and Oxford University. His research emphasizes telehealth trends, mental health crisis systems (e.g., 988 hotline preparedness), and the intersection of housing and healthcare access. He advocates for evidence-based solutions to address systemic inequities in healthcare delivery and advocates caution in leveraging AI for mental health interventions. Education: D.Sc. and M.Sc. in Global Health from Harvard University; B.A. in Psychology from Gordon College and Oxford University. Key Research Themes: Mental Health Policy, HIV/AIDS Programs, Telehealth Expansion, Homelessness Solutions. McBain’s recent work includes analyzing psychiatric bed shortages, evaluating permanent supportive housing programs, and assessing the competency of AI models in mental health contexts. He emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to bridge gaps between research and policy implementation.
Aideen Quilty is Associate Professor of Gender Studies and Social Justice at University College Dublin (UCD), where she also serves as Head of School for the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice and as Associate Dean of Social Sciences. With academic responsibility for all social science undergraduate degrees and programs at UCD, she plays a significant leadership role in one of the university's largest academic units. Her educational background includes a BEd, M Equality Studies, and PhD from Maynooth University, along with a Diploma in Public Relations from the Public Relations Institute of Ireland. Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to social justice, equality, and community engagement. Professor Quilty's research is profoundly interdisciplinary, weaving together gender studies, queer theory, human geography, and adult education. Her work centers on two major strands: LGBTQI+ experiences in higher education and society, and widening participation in higher education through spatial theory and critical pedagogies. She approaches her scholarship as a form of critical civic practice, seeking to challenge normative structures and promote social change through education. Her research consistently addresses issues of intersectionality, particularly how gender, sexuality, and spatial positioning affect educational access and outcomes. Her publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on LGBTQI+ issues, particularly youth homelessness and educational inclusion. The most recent articles show an increasing emphasis on spatial justice and the intersections of gender, sexuality, and place. Her work consistently applies queer and feminist theoretical frameworks to practical educational and social contexts, with a strong focus on Irish society while maintaining a European perspective through transnational collaborations. Professor Quilty has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her excellence in teaching and commitment to student learning: University teaching excellence award (2022) Research Fellowship in teaching and learning from UCD (2019-2021) University Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2017) College Teaching and Learning excellence award (2017) UCD Values in Action (VIA) award for her work on the Active Bystander Programme As an advisor, Professor Quilty supervises PhD students working in LGBQI+ and transgender scholarship and EDI in higher education. Her grant activity includes significant projects such as the first nationally funded qualitative research investigation into LGBTQI+ Youth Homelessness in Ireland (2018-2020) and a transnational ERASMUS+ research project developing an LGBTQI+ Inclusion Index for Higher Education Institutions in Europe (2020-2023), which she leads as Principal Investigator. She was also Co-PI on the EU-funded DAPHNE programme (2013-15) exploring LGBTQ youth empowerment. Professor Quilty co-directs the innovative research centre for Gender, Feminisms and Sexualities (CGFS) and works closely with community outreach partners, particularly the Women's Collective Ireland (WCI), as a trusted 'critical friend.' Her work bridges academic research with practical community engagement, creating meaningful connections between university resources and social justice initiatives. She is currently conducting a cross-university impact evaluation research project on the Bystander Programme (2021-22) and serves on the Royal Irish Academy's interdisciplinary committee of social sciences.
Lorraine van Blerk is a Professor of Human Geography at the University of Dundee's School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law. She serves as Chair of Human Geography and leads the Research Centre for Transformative Change: Educational & Life Transitions (TCELT) in Education and Society. Her work focuses on street children/youth, refugees, and global inequalities. Academy of Social Sciences Fellow (2021) Stephen Fry Awards - Public Engagement Project of the Year (2017) Market Research Society President’s Medal (2015) Research interests include: Street youth resilience mapping Intergenerational partnerships Transitions to adulthood in crises Policy development for marginalized groups Coastal socio-ecological systems Cultural geographies of homelessness Recent publications address global street youth resilience frameworks (2REST project) and cinema's role for Harare street youth. Key collaborations include universities in Pretoria, Cape Town, Makerere, and Ryerson University. Scientific contributions recognized through: 6 major research prizes 16 funded projects 149+ research outputs International visiting appointments (Toronto Metropolitan University, National University of Singapore)
Trevor Goodyear is an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Applied Science, School of Nursing. His research explores substance use, mental health, and health equity among marginalized populations, particularly 2S/LGBTQ+ youth and people who inject drugs. Education: MSN, MPH, PhD Research Interests: Harm reduction, LGBTQ+ health, mental health, public health, health equity, social determinants of health His recent work examines harm reduction strategies, structural vulnerabilities, and health narratives in urban drug scenes. Publications analyze cannabis use, overdose prevention, conversion practices, and the intersection of gender identity with substance use. His research employs qualitative methods like photovoice and narrative analysis to center marginalized voices. Key trends in his articles include the role of stigma in healthcare, policy implications of substance use research, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health disparities. He advocates for evidence-informed policies and community-driven interventions to address systemic inequities.
Associate Professor Tim Moore serves as Deputy Director at the Australian Catholic University's Institute of Child Protection Studies, where he leads child-inclusive and child-informed research initiatives. With over two decades of experience, he is internationally recognized for his work in child protection, youth justice, residential care, and child sexual abuse prevention. His research directly informs policy and practice, having advised major inquiries including the national Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Moore's research interests span child protection systems, therapeutic residential care, youth justice, homelessness, young carers, and children's rights advocacy. His work emphasizes children's participation in research on sensitive topics and developing child-safe organizations. He has shaped numerous local, national, and international initiatives aimed at improving children's lives through evidence-based approaches that center children's voices and experiences. His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on child safety in institutions, residential care quality, and children's participation in decision-making. Recent work examines therapeutic residential care models, children's conceptualizations of safety, and the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Australia. His research increasingly addresses intersectional issues including disability, domestic violence, and youth engagement in abuse prevention. Moore has provided expert advice to multiple government inquiries and commissions, translating research into practical frameworks for organizations working with children. His work with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse significantly influenced national approaches to child safety in institutions. As Deputy Director of the Institute of Child Protection Studies, Moore leads initiatives that bridge research, policy, and practice in child protection. His team develops resources and training for organizations on child-safe practices, with particular emphasis on understanding children's perspectives and experiences within institutional settings.
Alessandro Rigolon is an Associate Professor and MCMP Program Coordinator in the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah, where he has been on the faculty since 2019. A dual-PhD scholar (Design & Planning, University of Colorado Denver; Architecture, University of Bologna), he is internationally recognized for research on environmental justice, green-space equity, and the public-health consequences of urban greening. Education: Ph.D. in Design and Planning, University of Colorado Denver (2015) Ph.D. in Architecture, University of Bologna, Italy (2012) B.Arch. & M.Arch. in Architecture and Urban Design, University of Bologna, Italy (2007) Research Interests: Rigolon’s work sits at the intersection of environmental justice, urban planning, and public health. He investigates four interconnected themes: (1) policy drivers of inequity in green-space provision; (2) the mechanisms and resistance to green gentrification; (3) green infrastructure’s role in equitable climate adaptation; and (4) health impacts of urban nature on marginalized communities. His studies span multiple scales—from census microdata in Miami-Dade County to machine-learning analyses across 263 Chinese cities—deploying mixed-methods, spatial analytics, and community-engaged research. Publications & Impact: Across 89 peer-reviewed outputs, recent work (2024-2025) reveals complex pathways by which gentrification both precedes and follows greening, quantifies disparities in park access among racial/ethnic groups, and evaluates policies aimed at achieving green-space equity. Collectively, these studies highlight the need for fine-scale spatial data, intersectional analyses, and robust procedural justice when designing equitable greening interventions. Scientific Awards & Recognition: Stanford/Elsevier Top 2 % Scientist (2024) Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2024) APA-Utah High Achievement Award (2022) Urban Studies Editor’s Featured Articles (2021) University of Utah Celebrate U Researcher Honoree (2020) Arnold O. Beckman Award (2019) Grants & Advising: Rigolon currently leads or co-leads six funded projects totaling over one million dollars from the Center for Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities, Center for Climate Smart Transportation, Prevention Institute, and University of Illinois. These grants support interdisciplinary teams examining transit-oriented green gentrification, climate adaptation for active transportation, and equitable park policy implementation. Graduate students and post-docs are active collaborators on all projects. Teaching & Community Engagement: He teaches graduate courses including Design Ecologies , Plan Making , Professional Project Studio , and Research Design . Through studio courses, students partner with local governments (South Salt Lake City, Liberty Wells Community Council) to produce actionable plans advancing environmental justice.
Meredith Greif is an Assistant Research Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University, specializing in the intersection of race, space, and housing. Her work examines systemic inequities in housing policy and their impacts on marginalized communities, particularly through the lens of landlord-tenant dynamics and urban housing crises. Education: PhD in Sociology from Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on homelessness, urban inequality, racial stratification, and mental health, with a particular emphasis on how housing insecurity perpetuates racial and economic disparities. She has published extensively on topics including administrative burdens in housing voucher programs, unintended consequences of tenant protection laws, and global urban health challenges in contexts like Accra and Nairobi. Her 2022 book Collateral Damages: Landlords and the Urban Housing Crisis analyzes how legal systems fail vulnerable renters and exacerbate urban crises. Current research explores neighborhood satisfaction, mental health outcomes linked to housing instability, and racial segregation mechanisms in housing markets. Key themes in her work include policy evaluation, structural inequality, and interdisciplinary approaches to urban studies. No specific grants or advising roles are detailed in the provided materials.
Eunjung Lee is a Professor and the Factor-Inwentash Chair in Mental Health & Health at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, where she also serves as the Associate Dean, Academic. She holds a Ph.D. from Smith College. Her research focuses on cross-cultural psychotherapy, clinical practice in community mental health, and simulation-based learning in social work education. She critically examines policy discourses affecting immigrants and refugees under neoliberalism, challenging traditional notions of multiculturalism. Lee teaches clinical courses in the MSW program and social work theory at the doctoral level, emphasizing culturally responsive practice and social justice. Research & Grants Explores anti-Asian racism, youth cannabis use, and technology’s role in mental health for marginalized groups. Recipient of grants including the Simulation-Based Learning in Social Work Education and Global Research Network for Student Mental Health . Teaching & Leadership Chairs the MSW clinical curriculum and mentors students in critical practice. Advances equity through academic leadership and policy advocacy. Labs & Initiatives Leads the Inlight Initiative for student mental health. Pioneers digital simulation tools for culturally competent practice.
Martin Prince is a Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry at King’s College London, where he serves as Director of the King’s Global Health Institute and Assistant Principal (Global Health) . He is a leading figure in global mental health, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) , dementia, and integrated health systems. His career spans over two decades of coordinating the 10/66 Dementia Research Group and contributing to WHO guidelines, including the mhGAP clinical guidelines and Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) . Education: MA, University of Cambridge MD (Epidemiology), University of Cambridge MS (Epidemiology), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine His research bridges mental and physical health , emphasizing task-shifting care to non-specialists in LMIC. Key projects include the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Health System Strengthening and the ATHLOS project for measuring healthy ageing. His work has informed the UK National Dementia Strategy and WHO’s World Dementia Report . Recent publications highlight depression detection in Ethiopia , dementia risk prediction , and integrated surgical care . He also explores intrinsic capacity and frailty as predictors of dependence and mortality in ageing populations. Scientific Awards: ADI Award (2014) International Psychogeriatric Association Distinguished Service Award (2011) John Mackey Award for Excellence in Dementia Care (2012) Prince leads teams such as the ASSET consortium and HOPE programme on homelessness and severe mental illness in Africa, while advocating for evidence-based policy and equitable healthcare access .
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Berendt is a University Professor for Practice-Oriented Social Sciences, specializing in Family and Housing, at the University of Duisburg-Essen's Faculty of Social Sciences. She has held this position since the Summer Semester of 2002, following her appointment at Gerhard-Mercator-University Duisburg (which later became the University of Duisburg-Essen). From SS 2008 to WS 2009/10, she served as Vice Dean for Studies and Teaching at the Department of Social Sciences. Her educational background includes studying social sciences, journalism and communication studies, and law at Ruhr University Bochum from 1989-1995, where she graduated with a degree in applied social research with a specialization in sociology. She received her doctorate in Social Sciences (Dr. rer. soc) from Ruhr University Bochum in 1998, supported by a doctoral scholarship from 1995-1997. Berendt's research focuses on family sociology and social change, urban and housing sociology, policy analysis, and governance. Her work examines generational relations, gender equality policy in Europe, welfare state models, urban development, migration in cities, and civil society. She analyzes policy fields, theoretical foundations, policy processes, actor networks, governance theories, and decision-making mechanisms. Her research consistently bridges academic theory with practical social policy applications. Her publication history reveals a strong emphasis on practical social science applications, particularly in housing policy, social welfare, and urban development. The most recent works show increasing focus on gender-sensitive housing solutions, neighborhood stabilization through cross-sectoral cooperation, and adapting urban environments to demographic changes like aging populations. Her research demonstrates consistent engagement with practical policy challenges faced by municipalities and social service providers. Berendt has held significant administrative roles including Chair of the Examination Board for BA Political Science, Equal Opportunities Officer for the Department of Social Sciences, and membership on the Faculty Council, Tuition Fees Steering Group, and Senate Commission for Teaching, Studies and Continuing Education. She has led numerous research projects funded by government ministries, particularly the Ministry for Health, Social Affairs, Women and Family of North Rhine-Westphalia. Her team includes scientific assistants Martin Krybus and Till Behmenburg, along with secretariat support from Stefanie Schuylen-Matuschek. Her work bridges academic research with practical social policy implementation, focusing on real-world social challenges in urban environments.
Danya Keene is an Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), specializing in housing policy and health equity. She holds a PhD from the University of Michigan and was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar. Her research examines how racially discriminatory housing policies exacerbate health disparities, particularly focusing on evictions, rental assistance, and the intersection of housing instability with diabetes and other chronic conditions. Education: PhD, University of Michigan (2009) MAT, Johns Hopkins University (2001) Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar, University of Pennsylvania (2013) Research Focus: Dr. Keene’s work bridges housing policy and population health equity. Key themes include: Eviction’s health consequences Racial inequities in housing access Rental assistance programs’ impact on diabetes management Criminal justice system impacts on housing stability Recent Publications Trends: Her 2023-2024 work emphasizes housing policy as a public health intervention, showing rental assistance improves diabetes outcomes and food security while mitigating eviction-related trauma. Scoping reviews highlight eviction’s systemic health effects across demographics. Awards: 2017 YSPH Distinguished Mentor Award for fostering student success in health equity research. Grants & Leadership: Principal Investigator on the Affordable Housing and Diabetes study (2020–2025). Founded YSPH’s U.S. Health Justice Concentration and leads the Housing and Health Equity Lab. Labs/Teams: Co-directs the Housing and Health Equity Lab and collaborates with Yale’s Diabetes Research Center on housing-health linkages.
Kath Scanlon is a Distinguished Policy Fellow at LSE London and CASE Associate with 25 years of experience at the London School of Economics. She specializes in housing policy research across multiple tenures including social and private rented housing as well as owner-occupation, with additional expertise in comparative mortgage finance and collaborative housing approaches. Her research is grounded in economics but draws on techniques and perspectives from geography and sociology to improve the evidence base for policy decisions. Since 2015, she has focused on accelerating new housing development in London, examining solutions from cohousing to large-scale private rented schemes. She has also edited the authoritative book Social Housing in Europe (Wiley, 2014). Scanlon's publications reveal a strong focus on practical housing policy applications across multiple dimensions including private renting, social housing, housing finance, and collaborative approaches. Her work increasingly incorporates cost-benefit analysis methodologies applied to housing policy questions, with recent projects examining NRPF policies, domestic abuse support systems, and metropolitan area strategies. She has worked with numerous national and international institutions including the Council of Europe Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, Denmark's Realdania foundation, and the European Investment Bank. Her international experience spans living and working in the USA, Spain, Denmark, Yugoslavia, Kuwait and Peru, and she speaks Spanish, Italian, Serbian, Danish and French. Scanlon has led numerous policy-relevant research projects for clients including the Scottish Government, London Councils, Camden Council, Shelter, the Greater London Authority, and various housing associations. Her work consistently bridges academic research and practical policy implementation in the housing sector.
Stanley Huey is a Professor of Psychology and American Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California (USC), affiliated with the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA (1998) and joined USC in 2000. His research focuses on psychotherapy outcomes, culturally responsive treatments for ethnic minorities, and interventions targeting gang-involved youth and criminal justice populations. Dr. Huey’s educational background includes a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from UC Berkeley (1990), an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA (1994), and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA (1998). His work bridges clinical practice, cultural competence, and community-based interventions. Key research areas include: Culture’s role in psychotherapy efficacy Mental health disparities among Asian Americans and African Americans Adverse effects of gang-focused interventions Cognitive-behavioral therapy adaptations for diverse populations Psychosocial interventions for youth violence prevention His publications span over 60 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, emphasizing meta-analyses of intervention effectiveness and culturally tailored treatments. Notable works include a 2018 meta-analysis of Asian American mental health interventions and a 2019 review of evidence-based practices for ethnic minority youth. Awards and grants: While specific awards aren’t listed, his sustained research output indicates recognition in clinical psychology and cultural competence domains. His lab focuses on translational research, partnering with community organizations for intervention development. Dr. Huey leads USC’s clinical psychology training programs, emphasizing culturally responsive practice. His lab collaborates with criminal justice agencies and schools to implement evidence-based interventions in high-risk communities.
