The Bancroft Institute for Studies on Workers’ Compensation and Work Injury (established originally in 1997 as the Injured Workers’ Institute) was formed by injured workers, advocates and academics to meet a need for education and research that focused on topics important to Ontario’s workers.
Annual workshops have addressed such issues as myths and realities of early and safe return to work (1998), participatory action research methods and tools (2000), precarious employment (2003). In December 2003, the Bancroft Institute hosted a meeting of injured worker activists and researchers to explore joint research projects, leading eventually to the Injured Workers’ History Project and formal partnership between the injured worker community and university researchers (RAACWI).
Although the RAACWI project ended in 2012, the Bancroft Institute is continuing this collaboration through its workshops and Policy and Research Discussion series. Videos of many of these sessions are available on the Centre for Work Disability Policy CRWDP Youtube channel. Print workshop, conference proceedings and archival materials are held in the Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic library.
Bancroft sessions 2013- 2021
- Policy & Research Discussion (Jun. 8, 2021): Life and Work After Work Injury – Presenters: Jeanne Sears, Cameron Mustard; panel & open discussion
- Policy & Research Discussion (Nov. 10, 2020) : Impact of COVID-19 on Injured Workers and Vulnerable People. [see flyer for full details].
- Policy and Research Discussion (Mar. 12, 2020) Injured Workers, Human Rights and the United Nations. Presenters: Jeffrey Hilgert, Kerri Joffe, Steve Estey, Laura Cattari, Steve Mantis. [see flyer] [see videos]
- Policy & Research Discussion (Oct. 1, 2019): “Sick and Tired: Health and Safety Inequalities” – Stephanie Premji and co-authors, a multidisciplinary group of experts from the fields of labour studies, public health, ergonomics, epidemiology, sociology and law, lead a discussion on inequalities in workplace safety. [see flyer]
- National Roundtable Discussion (May 2, 2019) – A Look at the Draft National Strategy for Disability and Work in Canada (onsite and teleconference) [see flyer]
- Policy & Research Discussion (Nov. 29, 2018) – “The Science & Politics of Work Disability Prevention” (with Ellen MacEachen researcher and editor of the recently-published book). [see Program details]
- Research and Action Workshop (Apr. 25-26, 2018) Are Injured Workers Receiving The Health Care They Need? Keynote speakers: Maryth Yachnin (IAVGO), Antony Singleton (Law Office) [see Flyer for details ]
- Policy & Research Discussion series no. 8 (Dec. 4, 2017) Research and Reporting on Workers’ Compensation in the Precarious Economy. Keynote speakers: Sara Mojtehedzadeh (Toronto Star) [video presentation], Katherine Lippel (University of Ottawa), and Ellen MacEachen (University of Waterloo)
- Policy & Research Discussion series no. 7 (Oct. 3, 2017) Pre-existing or Related? Workplace Injury and Chronic Health Conditions. Keynote speakers: Becky Casey & Peri Ballantyne
- Research and Action Workshop (February 9-10, 2017) Measuring Return to Work. Keynote speaker: Ellen MacEachen [ presentation – pdf] – see Event details and Full Agenda
- Policy & Research Discussion series no. 6 (Nov. 17, 2016): Barriers to Return-to-Work in a Context of Social Vulnerability Keynote speaker: Stephanie Premji [ video presentations: Stephanie Premji, Panel discussion, Injured worker Sang-Hun Mun ]
- Policy & Research Discussion series no. 5 (May 17, 2016): Mental Health Status of Ontario Injured Workers with Permanent Impairments Keynote speaker: Fergal O’Hagan
- Research and Action Workshop (October 22-23, 2015): Workers’ Compensation and Poverty: What Does the Research Show? Keynote speakers: Wayne Lewchuk, Karen Messing. [Video presentations: Tribute to Terry Ison – introduction, Steve Mantis, Marion Endicott; Emile Tompa; Karen Messing ; Wayne Lewchuk; Bonnie Heath ; Peri Ballantyne]
- Policy & Research Discussion series no. 4 (May 14, 2015): How Characteristics of Workers’ Compensation Systems Affect Doctors: A Comparative Study of Québec and Ontario. Keynote speakers: Katherine Lippel, Joan Eakin, Linn Holness, Dana Howse [video presentation]
- Policy & Research Discussion series no. 3 (Oct. 31, 2014): Interactions between Injured Workers and Insurers in Workers’ Compensation Systems. Keynote speakers: Beth Kilgour and Agnieszka Kosny [video presentation]
- Research and Action Workshop (April 14-15, 2014): Has the WCB/WSIB Abandoned its Mandate? Keynote speaker: Jeffrey Hilgert
- Policy & Research Discussion series no. 2 (Oct. 10, 2013): “Unjust by Design” (administrative justice). Keynote speaker: Ron Ellis
- Policy & Research Discussion series no. 1 (May 7, 2013): From Disability to Welfare. Keynote speaker: John Stapleton