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.
- 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)
- Future-focused job accommodation practices for the school-to-work transition. Funded by Accessibility Standards Canada (Government of Canada). Ongoing.
Publications
- 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. 2025 epub ahead of print. doi:10.1002/ajim.70046.
- Hossain S, Nasir K, Carolli A, Gignac MA, Van Eerd D, Jetha A. Strategies for supporting disability-inclusive employment in the future of work. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2025 epub ahead of print. doi:10.1007/s10926-025-10339-7.
- Gignac MA, Bowring J, Navaratnerajah L, Saunders R, Jetha A, Thompson A, Shaw WS, Franche RL, Van Eerd D, Irvin E, Tompa E, MacDermid JC, Smith PM. The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT): a nine-month evaluation of use, changes in self-efficacy, presenteeism, and absenteeism in workers with chronic and episodic disabilities. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2025;35(3):625-640. doi:10.1007/s10926-024-10231-w.
- Van Eerd D, Tompa E, Irvin E, Ragunathan S. Evidence-informed workplace practices for the prevention of PTSI work disability: A summary of study findings. Institute for Work & Health; 2025.
- 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. 2025 epub ahead of print. 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.