Lauren McNamara

Lauren is a Research Scientist at the Diversity Institute at Ryerson University. She is an education researcher, professor, social entrepreneur, and Ashoka Fellow with over 20 years of experience working with school boards in university-community partnerships.

Lauren holds a doctorate in Educational Psychology from the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and an MS in Learning Sciences from the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University in Illinois.

Lauren's research is focused on well-being in schools, particularly the ways in which school-based social relationships influence mental health, well-being, school engagement, and long term social-behavioral patterns. She has considerable experience in overseeing university-school action research projects that are aligned with UN's 2030 Education Framework. Her work has been published in academic journals as well as translated into book chapters, national position statements, policy guides, keynote speeches, and professional development workshops. She is the Founder of Recess Project Canada, leads the Global Recess Alliance, and is a national partner with Physical and Health Education Canada.

Her work has been noted by the Globe and Mail, the NY Times, CBC News, and the Toronto Star and she received the 2019 Pathstone Hope Award (Ontario), the Lego Foundation/Ashoka Reimagine Schools Challenge Pacesetter Award (2016), and the Making A Difference Award (2011).