Michael Wohl Elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Michael Wohl, a researcher in Carleton University’s Department of Psychology, has been elected as a 2026 Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) — one of the highest honours for members of the Canadian health sciences community.
Wohl is the first Carleton researcher to be named a CAHS Fellow. Recognizing his contributions to the field of health psychology, public health policy and addiction harm prevention, Wohl is among the 59 individuals to receive the distinguished honour this year.
Fellows are elected to the Academy following a nomination and peer review process, which seeks to recognize individuals who have demonstrated internationally recognized leadership and a commitment to advancing health sciences and accessibility in Canada.
Wohl, a globally recognized leader in health science, has changed how psychology understands and facilitates constructive change — from helping individuals and groups move beyond conflict to reducing gambling-related harm.
The Psychology of Betterment: Resolving Conflict and Inspiring Change
Wohl, Director of The Betterment Labs, specializes in research on conflict resolution and disordered gambling.
His conflict resolution research examines how social identity and group-based emotions, including collective guilt, angst and nostalgia, shape responses to historical and contemporary harm. This work helps explain why conflicts become entrenched and identifies pathways toward forgiveness, reconciliation and reduced polarization.
Wohl pioneered Positive Play, a strengths-based approach to gambling harm prevention that shifted the field beyond a narrow focus on problems and pathology toward helping people who gamble make informed decisions and maintain control. Developed with collaborators, the Positive Play framework has transformed responsible gambling research, policy and practice and is now used in more than 70 jurisdictions worldwide.
His broader gambling research has also helped improve responsible gambling tools, public messaging and programs aimed at preventing harm and supporting lasting behavioural change.
“I am deeply honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences,” said Wohl. “This recognition reflects the fundamentally collaborative nature of my research and the contributions of the many students, colleagues, community partners and organizations with whom I have been fortunate to work.”
“Together, we have sought to translate psychological science into practical approaches that reduce gambling-related harm, promote well-being and help individuals and groups navigate conflict, all with the goal of advancing constructive personal and social change.”
Wohl has authored 18 chapters in edited books, over 100 government and technical reports, and more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles. His work has appeared in leading international journals including Nature, Nature Human Behaviour, The Lancet Regional Health – Americas and Addiction, and in 2025 he was recognized as being among the world’s most-cited scholars.
His research contributions have been recognized through major professional honours, including the Lifetime Research Award and Research of the Year Award from the National Council on Problem Gambling, the Scientific Achievement Award from the International Center for Responsible Gaming, and election as a Fellow of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology and the American Psychological Society.
“This prestigious recognition by the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences is a testament to the impact of Wohl’s research,” said Rafik Goubran, Vice-President (Research, Innovation and International). “As the first Carleton researcher to be named a CAHS Fellow, he exemplifies the innovation and impact that define our research community.”
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