When Florence Tang isn’t sweating it out in her boxing workouts, she’s uncovering crucial insights in research — and helping investigate cold cases. As a Senior Research Analyst at Waypoint, Florence applies her analytical skills to mental health and addiction care, but it’s her work behind the scenes of the true-crime documentary “Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order” that has added an unexpected twist to her career.
The true-crime documentary series follows a group of women who use forensic expertise and data skills to understand the factors contributing to violent behaviour and solve cold cases across Canada. Florence’s involvement in “Midnight Order” had its origins in university, when she volunteered to assist the show’s namesake creator with data collection for a criminology project.
Ever since then, we’ve had a professional relationship and it just kind of escalated into the documentary. I don’t really know how it happened. I’m a really introverted person, but the show’s victim advocacy work is something I’m proud of. I really enjoyed letting people speak about their loved ones and making sure they’re not forgotten. That resonated with me.
Florence Tang
At Waypoint, Florence is equally dedicated to her research work. She joined the Waypoint Research Institute team in 2023 as a Research Analyst on the STREAM project, focused on improving mental health and addiction care across Ontario. Within six months, she was offered a permanent position. In April of this year, she was promoted to Senior Research Analyst, now contributing to more strategic research projects and honing her expertise in mental health, research evaluation and program development.
Florence’s passion for criminology extends beyond her role at Waypoint. After graduating with a BA in Linguistics and Psychology in 2014 from the University of Toronto, she earned a Masters in Criminology from Wilfrid Laurier University, and is close to finishing a PhD in Criminology at Ontario Tech University, where she dove into criminological theory, police studies and offender behavior. “You learn a lot conceptually in school, but, when you go into the workforce, you’re actually applying it,” she said, noting the valuable experience she gains from her dual roles in academia and at Waypoint.
Despite her heavy academic and professional workload, Florence makes time to stay active — especially by boxing. “I haven’t sparred yet, but I definitely want to get into it,” she said. “The first step to getting consistent with the gym is finding that motivation, because a lot of the work I do in school and at Waypoint is very sedentary. You’re sitting at a desk and you’re just looking at data and doing research, so I’m trying to make sure I move as much as possible.”
When she’s not working, studying or working out, Florence enjoys playing the omnichord, a type of electric auto harp, as well as the guitar and keyboard. This creative outlet helps her unwind after long hours of research and mental focus.
What Florence appreciates most about working at Waypoint is the supportive and growth-driven environment.
The opportunities to learn and advance here are remarkable. I’ve always voiced my desire to grow, and they’ve recognized that and given me the opportunity. I would say this organization is definitely one of the most supportive and kind that I’ve ever worked with.