Christopher Canning, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry and Director of Research & Academics at the Waypoint Research Institute. As Director he oversees the strategic goals of a diverse team of research scientists, clinician scientists, and other research and clinical staff within a tertiary mental healthcare setting. He is a sociologist by training and has 15 years’ experience in mental health research and policy development. He has co-authored over 40 policy reports and peer-reviewed publications and is currently supporting the development of an action plan on criminal justice and mental health in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. He is deeply committed to anti-oppression and centering lived experience and experiential knowledge in mental health research, policy, and practice. His current research explores patient-oriented research in forensic settings, criminal justice policy, and physical health inequities in people with serious mental illness.