Barbara Fallon

Barbara Fallon is a full Professor and holds a Canada Research Chair in Child Welfare. She was the Associate Dean of Research from 2015-2019 and the PhD Director from 2013-2015. Dr. Fallon received the University of Toronto President’s Impact Award in 2020.  

Her research focuses on the collection and sharing of reliable, valid national and provincial data to provide an evidence-based understanding of the trajectories of children and families in the child welfare system. She is currently the Scientific Director of The First Nations/Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (FN/CIS) 2019 and was the Principal Investigator of the Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (OIS) 2018, 2013 and 2008. These studies provide a comprehensive description of the needs of children and families identified to the child welfare system allowing for evidence-based improvements to policy and practice. Dr. Fallon is also the Principal Investigator of the Ontario Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (OCANDS). Her other research interests include comparisons of child protection systems and the contribution of worker and organizational characteristics to child welfare decision making. Dr. Fallon’s transdisciplinary work, including as one of the co-leads of the Fraser Mustard Institute of Human Development Policy Bench, disseminates critical information to promote optimal child health and well-being. 

Dr. Fallon’s past research has helped child welfare workers and policymakers understand the use of risk assessments in child protection investigations and opportunities for early intervention and prevention for children at risk of maltreatment. Her research has also contributed to the implementation of key policy initiatives in child welfare including differential response models and specialized intimate partner violence teams. She has received over 20 million dollars in funding as an Investigator and has over 130 peer reviewed publications.