Melanie Barwick, PhD, CPsych
Registered Psychologist | Senior Scientist, SickKids Research Institute
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Implementation Science & Practice (2024–2031)
Professor, University of Toronto (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine; Behavioural and Social Sciences and Institute for Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health)
Profile
I am an implementation scientist, psychologist, and educator focused on closing the gap between research and real-world practice in health, mental health, global health, and education. My work develops practical tools, frameworks, and digital solutions to help organizations adopt and sustain evidence-based innovations, while building capacity through training, mentorship, and strategic consulting.
Leadership & Roles
- Senior Scientist, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute (since 2001)
- Professor, University of Toronto (Psychiatry; Dalla Lana School of Public Health; IHPME)
- Institute Advisory Board, Institute for Health Services and Policy Research, CIHR
- Board Chair, Children’s Mental Health Ontario (2023–2025, Board Member 2019-2026)
- Editorial Board Member, Implementation Research and Practice
- Advisor & collaborator to national and international organizations (e.g., WHO, CIHR, Research Impact Academy)
Signature Contributions
- Creator of widely used capacity-building programs:
- Specialist Knowledge Translation Training (SKTT™)
- Knowledge Translation Professional Certificate (KTPC™)
- Planning for Implementation Practice (PIP™)
- Developer of practical KT & IS tools:
- The Implementation Roadmap®
- Knowledge Translation Planning Template®
- The KT Game®
- Knowledge Translation Plan Appraisal Tool
- Lead creator of The Implementation Playbook (TIP) — a digital SaaS platform guiding organizations through planning, executing, and sustaining evidence-based innovation. Not yet publicly available.
Selected Awards & Honours
- Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Implementation Science & Practice (2024–2031)
- John Westbrook Award for Knowledge Translation (Campbell Collaboration, 2022)
- Emerald Real Impact Award – Driving the Impact Agenda (2019, Winner & Shortlist)
- Accreditation Canada Leading Practice designation for KTPC™ (2013)
- Multiple Visiting Scholar appointments in Australia and the UK (2014–2023)
Research Impact
- $65M+ in total career research funding (over $11M as Principal Investigator/Co-PI)
- Leads and collaborates on multi-site national and global studies advancing evidence-based implementation in health systems (e.g., mental health pathways, chronic pain, early cancer detection, digital health innovation).
- Partner to global initiatives, including WHO’s Global Research Agenda on Knowledge Translation (2024–2025)
Speaking & Professional Development
- Delivers workshops and custom training in Knowledge Translation & Implementation Science to health, education, social care, and policy audiences worldwide.
- Programs offered: SKTT™, KTPC™, PIP™ — with the option to tailor content to your organization’s needs.