Forensic Mental Health Research at The Royal

The Forensic Research Unit (FRU) of the Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) is fully integrated with the Integrated Forensic Program (IFP) of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group. This is a large and active program with research activities on two campuses, in Ottawa and in Brockville, Ontario. 

The FRU is world renowned for clinical research focusing on the assessment and treatment of paraphilias, sexual offending, and mentally disordered offenders, including individuals found Not Criminally Responsible on account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD). There are a variety of active research projects at both campuses, including studies of individuals with problematic sexual behaviors, anger problems, persons found NCRMD, and men sentenced to provincial sentences of less than two years who have serious mental health concerns.

Students have the opportunity to be involved in a clinical research project under the direct supervision of an experienced FRU researcher and within an enthusiastic IMHR research team. Depending on education, level of experience and length of placement, this can include leading a thesis or other independent research project, collaborating in a research study, or gaining experience by helping with an ongoing study through data collection, entry, or analysis. Graduate students are more likely to be placed but senior undergraduate students are considered.

Though the majority of students doing research placements come from the University of Ottawa or Carleton University, students from other universities are also welcomed to apply. The majority of students have historically come from Psychology or Criminology, but we welcome students from all health and criminal justice disciplines.

  • All students must be able to provide a criminal records check and be up-to-date on their immunizations.
  • Students who will be working directly with Royal clients or other potentially vulnerable persons must be able to provide a vulnerable sector criminal records check.
  • Data collected or analyzed during this placement remain the property of the IMHR. Publications must acknowledge the IMHR affiliation.
  • Research completed at The Royal must be approved by the Research Ethics Board at The Royal.

University of Ottawa Criminology Placements

Only students registered in the Field Placement Program of the Department of Criminology at the University of Ottawa can apply for this placement.

  • Masters level placement. Undergraduate placement possible by special arrangement.
  • Please contact the Field Placement Coordinator for further information on the application process: Joanne Cardinal, Field Placement Coordinator, Department of Criminology, University of Ottawa, +1 (613) 562-5800 ext 1808joanne.cardinal@uottawa.ca

All other students seeking research practicum placements, please contact Maria da Silva, The Royal, +1 (613) 722-6521 ext 6944, maria.da.silva@theroyal.ca. Please send your CV and the following completed form.