Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd
Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd is a scientist at the Institute for Work & Health, where he has been a researcher since 1997. He is also a guest senior researcher with the National Research Centre for the Working Environment in Denmark and an assistant professor (status) in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. He has an MSc and BSc in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, an MSc in health research methodology from McMaster University, and a PhD in work and health from the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo.
Van Eerd's research focuses on the prevention of work-related injuries and work disability, as well as on the implementation of workplace programs and practices. His research projects include evaluations of workplace musculoskeletal disorders and mental health practices/programs and their implementation, and evidence syntheses of the prevention literature. Van Eerd also practices and researches integrated knowledge transfer and exchange.
“As a kinesiologist specializing in the multidisciplinary treatment of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) for a variety of clients, including performing artists, I felt an evidence-based approach was important. But I was consistently frustrated by the lack of good quality research to help guide my practice. Coming from a strong science program enabled me to pursue small research projects in the clinical setting, which led me to look for more research opportunities—and ultimately, to IWH.” – Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd
Projects
- Accommodating and Communicating about Episodic Disabilities (ACED): A partnership to deliver workplace resources to sustain employment of people with chronic, episodic conditions. Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada Signature Initiative. Ongoing.
- Addressing suicide and substance use in construction: A Canadian industry-research partnership . Funded by WorkSafe Ontario Fund, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Ongoing.
- Creating safe workplaces for newcomers. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Ongoing.
- ECHO PSP: Piloting the use of the ECHO model to promote recovery and return-to-work among public safety personnel in Ontario. Funded by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Ongoing.
- Evidence-informed workplace policies and practices for the prevention of PTSI work disability. Funded by Government of Alberta. Ongoing. (PI on the project)
Publications
- Yanar B, Bild E, Van Eerd D, Begum M, Vesely L, Premji S, Smith PM. How are language and culture considered in workplace OHS practices and interventions? A scoping review. Safety Science. 2027;205:107449. doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2026.107449.
- Svendsen PAW, Van Eerd D, Dyreborg J, Sorensen OH. Interaction in OHS research knowledge transfer: a rapid review. Safety Science. 2026;202:107296. doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2026.107296.
- Van Eerd D, Ragunathan S, Gross DP, Gignac MA, Irvin E, Tompa E. Implementation of post-traumatic stress injury programs in Alberta first responder organizations: a qualitative study. Disability & Rehabilitation. 2026 [epub ahead of print]. doi:10.1080/09638288.2026.2667689.
- Van Eerd D, Robson LS, Yanar B, Irvin E, Le Pouésard M, Rafiqzad H. Early occupational health and safety interventions for small businesses: an environmental scan. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2026;69(2):115-131. doi:10.1002/ajim.70046.
- Van Eerd D, Ragunathan S, Irvin E, Varickanickal J, Tompa E, McElheran M. Workplace programs to reduce post-traumatic stress injuries work disability: first responder experiences. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2026;36(2):580-590. doi:10.1007/s10926-025-10299-y.
Speaker Series presentations
- Understanding PTSI program implementation processes in Alberta first responder organizations. IWH Speaker Series. January 27, 2026.
- Return to work in Ontario police services: Current experiences and practices. IWH Speaker Series. October 18, 2022.
- Systematic review of workplace interventions to manage depression. IWH Speaker Series. January 30, 2018.
- Perspectives on using occupational health and safety research. IWH Speaker Series. February 17, 2015.
Research summaries
- IWH research adds to body of knowledge on MSDs. At Work article: Institute for Work & Health, November 2006.