1 Urban research & practice
Urban scholar, researcher and instructor working at the intersections of social and health policy, geographic equity, and homelessness.
Senior Director of Research · Canadian Observatory on Homelessness · York University
About
I am an urban scholar, researcher, and instructor with a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Public Policy. I am currently the Senior Director of Research at the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH), York University. My research examines the intersections of social and health policy, geographic equity, and homelessness, with a focus on housing, economic development, and community-engaged studies.
In my current role, I lead the Making the Shift (MtS) Youth Homelessness Demonstration Projects (DEMs). I oversee all aspects of the MtS DEMs, including methodological approaches and the implementation of long-term research strategies. Additionally, I guide site-specific research plans and lead the academic and public-facing outputs of research studies from the MtS DEMs.
On this website I write, discuss my research, and occasionally share my take on urban life through photography.
Research
Five connected areas of work, from youth homelessness interventions to the form and economy of cities.
Current project
Research on prevention-focused interventions such as Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) and Family and Natural Supports (FNS), including a multisite, mixed methods randomized controlled trial in Ottawa and Toronto.
Publications
Ahmad Bonakdar et al. Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness
Ahmad Bonakdar & Stephen Gaetz
Cora MacDonald, Jacqueline Sohn, Ahmad Bonakdar & Carrie Traher. Book chapter
Stephen Gaetz, Ahmad Bonakdar, John Ecker, Cora MacDonald, Sophia Ilyniak, Ashley Ward, Lauren Kimura, Aranie Vijayaratnam & Emmanuel Banchani. JMIR Research Protocols
Ahmad Bonakdar, Stephen Gaetz, Emmanuel Banchani, Kaitlin Schwan, Sean A. Kidd & Bill O’Grady. Children and Youth Services Review
Ahmad Bonakdar, Cora MacDonald & Stephen Gaetz
Karen Naidoo, Ahmad Bonakdar, Jacqueline Sohn & Stephen Gaetz
Ahmad Bonakdar. International Journal on Homelessness
Tahereh Granpayehvaghei & Ahmad Bonakdar. International Journal of Cultural Policy
Ahmad Bonakdar & Ivonne Audirac. Cities
David Weinreich & Ahmad Bonakdar. Public Works Management & Policy
Ahmad Bonakdar & Ivonne Audirac. Journal of Planning Literature
Shima Hamidi, Ahmad Bonakdar, Golnaz Keshavarzi & Reid Ewing. Cities
Shima Hamidi, Ahoura Zandiatashbar & Ahmad Bonakdar. Technological Forecasting and Social Change
Tahereh Granpayehvaghei, Ahmad Bonakdar, Ahoura Zandiatashbar & Shima Hamidi. Transportation Research Record
Writing
Research findings written for practitioners, policymakers and the public, published on the Homeless Hub.
Key findings of the 24-month outcomes evaluation.
How FNS supports youth and the people they consider significant in their lives.
What Ontario’s rising chronic homelessness means for local action.
Key findings of the 24-month outcomes evaluation.
Insights from youth, families, and service providers.
Early evidence from the Making the Shift demonstration sites.
Photography
Contact
I try to respond to your message as quickly as I can, usually within 24 hours, except at the weekends, which may take a little longer.