Dr. Heather Johnston

Dr. Heather Johnston is a Ralph McGinn Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Institute for Work & Health, funded through WorkSafeBC. Prior to joining the scientists' team, she was a research analyst at the Institute.

Johnston holds a PhD in kinesiology and health science, as well as a diploma in health psychology, from York University in Toronto. She earned her MSc in kinesiology from Dalhousie University in Halifax. Johnston is an associate ergonomist through the Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists and a sessional faculty member at McMaster University and York University.

With a background in biomechanics and ergonomics, Johnston's earlier research investigated musculoskeletal function, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and the measurement of workspace design. Having learned through this research of the strong connection between musculoskeletal function and psychological modifiers, Johnston adopted an interdisciplinary approach to research, largely encompassed by the biopsychosocial model. Her interdisciplinary approach lends itself well to her practice as an associate ergonomist, in which she is passionate about optimizing the interaction among a worker, their work and their environment to prevent work-related injury. 

Johnston's current research explores the association between work-related MSDs and work-related psychological injuries to improve occupational health and safety (OHS) programs, policies and practices. Her research examines what these burdensome injuries have in common with respect to shared work-related risk factors, hazards and OHS strategies to address them.