Get in touch with us
The FMRG
Research Team
Focusing on families. Because they matter.
Why We Research
Public Safety and Defence Families
For many members of our team, our lived experience includes being part of a defence or public safety family. As community members, we have noticed the lack of resources, gaps in understanding, and limited discourse around both the positive and the challenging aspects of defence and public safety family life. As a research group, we have set out to change that.
Families Matter Research Group (FMRG) envisions a Canada where the families of military, veterans, and public safety personnel can thrive in a caring and compassionate society, an inclusive and vibrant culture, and a safe and sustainable environment. Families Matter Research Group (FMRG) works closely with its network, the Garnet Families Network, to engage families–and those who study, serve, and support them–in research.
The Research Team
Heidi Cramm
PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Professor
Dr. Cramm, an occupational therapist and professor, is dedicated to better understanding and addressing the mental health and wellbeing challenges…
Read More
Alyson Mahar
PhD
Assistant Professor
Dr. Mahar is an epidemiologist and health services researcher in the School of Nursing at Queen’s University. She leverages routinely collected…
Read More
Christine Genest
PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Dr. Christine Genest is registered nurse and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the l’Université de Montréal.…
Read More
Deborah Norris
PhD
Professor
Holding undergraduate and graduate degrees in Family Science, Dr. Norris is a professor in the Department of Family Studies and…
Read More
Heather Hadjistavropoulos
PhD, R.D. Psych.
Professor
Dr. Hadjistavropoulos is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Regina, Founder and Executive Director of the Online Therapy…
Read More
Joy MacDermid
OOnt, PhD, RPT
Professor
Dr. Joy MacDermid (BSc, BScPT, MSc, PhD, FCAHS, FRSC, O Ont, Western University) is a clinical epidemiologist, physiotherapist, hand therapist…
Read More
Linna Tam-Seto
PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Assistant Professor
Linna Tam-Seto is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Therapy at the University of Toronto and…
Read More
Margaret Campbell
PhD
Research Associate
cDr. Campbell is a research associate with Families Matter Research Group. She also teaches in the Sociology department and the…
Read More
Marilyn Cox
MFSGN
Research Associate
Marilyn, a researcher with the Families Matter Research Group, is interested in the experiences of military and public safety families…
Read More
Nathalie Reid
PhD
Assistant Professor
Dr. Reid is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina. Her research program focuses…
Read More
Nicola Fear
CBE, DPhil (OXON)
Professor
Professor Fear is a Professor of Epidemiology within the Academic Department of Military Mental Health at King’s College London, Director…
Read More
Rachael Gribble
PhD
Lecturer
Dr. Gribble is a Lecturer in War & Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College…
Read More
Rachel Dekel
PhD
Professor
Professor Dekel is a full professor at the School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Israel, and was the director in…
Read More
Rosemary Ricciardelli
PhD
Professor
Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli is Professor (PhD) and Research Chair in Safety, Security, and Wellness, at Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial…
Read More
Sharon Lawn
PhD
Professor
Professor Lawn at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia is Co-Director of One Door, a research initiative focused on social health…
Read More
Tim Black
PhD, R. Psych.
During his more than 20-year career as a tenured Associate Professor at one of the top graduate counsellor education programs…
Read More
FMRG Trainees
Ash Ibbotson
Doctoral Student
Ash Ibbotson (MA), is a PhD student with the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University. Ash holds a master’s…
Read More
Heidi Knupp
Reg. OT (AB)
Doctoral Student
Heidi is trained as an Occupational Therapist and a current student in the Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation and Health…
Read More
Isabella Thomas
Master’s Student
Isabella is currently in the second year of her master’s in epidemiology at Queen’s University. She is currently working on…
Read More
Kathryn Reeves
Master’s Student
Kathryn Reeves is a Master of Arts student in the Department of Family Studies and Gerontology at Mount Saint Vincent…
Read More
Lauren Roberts
Doctoral Student
Lauren is a doctoral student and daughter of a CAF Veteran. She is committed to supporting Garnet families across the…
Read More
Lisa Vaters
Doctoral Student
Lisa is a third-year doctoral candidate in Rehabilitation and Health Leadership at Queen’s University. Her current research focuses on exploring…
Read More
Lisbeth Wieler
PhD
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Wieler is a Master of Public Health and a PhD in Health Promotion from the University of Western Ontario.…
Read More
Melissa Richardson
Doctoral Student
Melissa is a PhD student who is passionate about learning more about the mental health and wellbeing of Garnet Families,…
Read More
Rachel Richmond
Doctoral Student
Rachel is a doctoral candidate in rehabilitation science from Queen’s University. She comes from a community health background and a…
Read More
Shawn Carter
Doctoral Student
Shawn is an experienced executive and clinical leader in the mental health and behavioral health sectors. Currently serving as the…
Read More
The Garnet Families Partnership
More and more, researchers are exploring what it means to be part of a public safety or defence family. The Garnet Families Partnership is a formal collaboration funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) through to 2031. The partnership brings together dozens of relevant parties across Canada and internationally to collectively set priorities for research, create knowledge, and enhance our research capacity to optimize individual and collective family well-being.
Contact Us
"*" indicates required fields