Introducing the International Research Forum for School Mental Health
Where Research Meets Practice to Spark Upstream, Lasting Change
About the Event
For more than 52 years, the Banff International Conference on Behavioural Science has convened the world’s leading minds in research. We are proud to relaunch this legacy as the International Research Forum for School Mental Health, a stream of the Mental Health Summit, and a powerful new gathering designed to transform the future of school mental health through research, innovation, and practice.
This summit stream brings together researchers, professors, graduate students, school leaders, clinicians, and community stakeholders from around the globe for:
Engaging Workshops led by top experts
Plenary Sessions showcasing cutting-edge global research
Poster Presentations highlighting emerging evidence
Collaboration Spaces designed for authentic dialogue and partnership-building
Graduate & Poster Awards to recognize and celebrate innovation and excellence
Why Attend?
Our mission: To unite and empower researchers worldwide in advancing school mental health by fostering collaboration, sharing evidence-based insights, and accelerating the translation of research into practice.
Our vision: A world where every school is a mentally healthy, safe environment - guided by global research, sustained by evidence-based action, and strengthened by collective expertise. Attendees of the Research Forum Stream will:
Come together from different fields and perspectives.
Join forces to create meaningful, lasting change.
Help every child, educator, and school community thrive.
Submit a Proposal
Lightning Talks:
Are you interested in sharing your research, gathering feedback, and sparking new ideas with fellow experts at the Research Forum? Our informal 10-minute Lightning Talks offer a chance to present your work to colleagues. Apply HERE by February 15th.
Research Posters:
Faculty, undergrads, and grad students are encouraged to submit an application for a Research Poster. Prizes for the top research posters will be awarded. Submit HERE by February 15th.
Grad Award Nomination - Claire Crooks Early Career Award:
We encourage faculty to nominate a graduate student who demonstrates excellence, innovation, and impact in SEL research for the inaugural Claire Crooks Early Career Award. To learn more about criteria or submit a nomination, click HERE. Apply by February 15th.
Research Forum Advisory Committee
Dr. Kim Schonert-Reichl
Senior Advisor
Dr. John-Tyler Binfet Director of Graduate Programs & Director of B.A.R.K., The University of British Columbia; Professor, Okanagan School of Education
Dr. Gina Cherkowski
Conference Chair
Dr. Sharon Hoover Professor Emeritus at University of Maryland School of Medicine, Co-Director (Retired), National Center for School Mental Health
Deinera Exner-Cortens Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Calgary
Dr. Paul Arnold
Director, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, University of Calgary
Mark Greenburg
Emeritus Bennett Chair of Prevention Science,
Penn State University
Dr. Gabrielle Wilcox Associate Professor, School & Applied Child Psychology,Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary
Dr. Erica Makarenko
Associate Professor (Teaching), School & Applied Child Psychology Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary
Dr. Jennifer Turner
Superintendent of School Improvement, Calgary Board of Education & Adjunct Professor, University of Calgary
Dr. Christopher Fuzessy Superintendent of Schools and Chief Education Officer, Foothills School Division (FSD)
Kathleen Lane
Executive Director,EdCan Network
Christine Preece
Senior Advisor
Drew Bowman
Conference Operations Lead
EJ Jacobs
Chief Strategist, Virtual Philanthropy
Julia Mahfouz
Associate Professor, Director of the Prosocial Leader Lab