Dr. Mansfield Mela MBBS, FWACP, MSc. Psych, FRCPC Director
Dr. Mansfield Mela (MBBS, FWACP, MSc Psych, FRCPC), Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, is an academic forensic psychiatrist and a Founder of the forensic subspecialty in Canada. He is also the current director of the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. As an expert, Dr. Mela testifies on various aspects of the interface of law and psychiatry, which include criminal and civil matters. He is an associate faculty member of the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan and teaches undergraduate and graduate medical and law students. He is the co-lead of the patient-oriented research hub in forensic mental health in Saskatchewan, a member of the Saskatchewan Review Board and the Saskatchewan Physician Health program, and Vice Chair of the Forensic Research Network. Dr. Mela was a pioneer member and lead of the interdisciplinary research team of academic professionals in forensic mental health research at the University of Saskatchewan. His research focuses on psycho-legal aspects of forensic mental health, with specific interests and expertise in the area of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). He is a lead researcher with the Canada FASD research network (CanFASD). His other research interests include the role of spirituality, religiosity and forgiveness in moderating criminogenic factors. He brings a clinical and patient-oriented perspective to his research questions and seeks to generate research and implement knowledge to achieve evidence-based practice amongst forensic mental health and FASD populations. Reducing victimization and improving patient outcomes especially among the vulnerable, form the foundation of his clinical and scholarly activities.