Doug Beirness, MSc, PhD
Senior Research Associate
Expertise:
Doug’s areas of expertise include alcohol- and drug-impaired driving research, road safety research, roadside surveys, and alcohol and drug policy.
Biography:
Doug Beirness’ career achievements derive from an interest in how alcohol and drugs affect people, especially their driving skills. He is CCSA’s leading expert on impaired driving. He has published many articles on drug- and alcohol-impaired driving, alcohol ignition interlock programs, young drivers and perceptions of intoxication and impairment.
A sought-after international speaker, Doug has presented at conferences across Canada and in the United States, Sweden, Norway and Australia. In 2016, the International Association of Chiefs Police Drug Recognition Expert Section recognized him as a Drug Recognition Expert Ambassador.
During his tenure at CCSA, which began in 2006, Doug has held numerous research roles and currently serves as a Senior Research Associate. He is also President of Beirness & Associates Inc., a private research consulting company. Prior to joining CCSA, he held positions with the Traffic Injury Research Foundation and the Vermont Alcohol Research Center. He is also the past Chair of the Transportation Research Board Standing Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Transportation Safety and is a member of the Drugs and Driving Committee of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science.
Doug holds degrees from the University of Waterloo. He earned a PhD in psychology specializing in alcohol studies and an MSc. in psychology specializing in addiction studies.