Dr. Allen Lehman is a health psychology researcher. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine and a Master of Arts in Family Studies from the University of British Columbia (UBC). He earned a PhD in Educational Studies from UBC in 2009. Dr. Lehman completed a Post-doctoral Fellowship in Aboriginal health and arthritis at Simon Fraser University and at ARC in 2011.

Dr. Lehman’s Family-based Arthritis Health Research program focuses on 1) the impact of arthritis on individuals and their families, 2) the development and testing of interventions to improve well-being and health among people with arthritis and their families, and, 3) the quality of care in Aboriginal peoples. Allen recently received funding from the Canadian Arthritis Network and The Arthritis Society, BC & Yukon Division to develop and evaluate a culturally sensitive, family-based self-management program for Aboriginal peoples living with inflammatory arthritis. Through a 2011 Vancouver Foundation grant, he is leading the expansion of the program’s work with First Nations communities on Vancouver Island to a community on Haida Gwaii.

Dr. Lehman co-founded the Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) at ARC, linking ARC research scientists with people living with arthritis. This innovative approach helps researchers to better address the issue and challenges that are most important to those living with arthritis, while also helping those with the disease learn more about research underway at the Arthritis Research Centre. Allen serves as the scientific consultant to CAB.

Dr. Lehman has co-authored publications in refereed journals and book chapters, and has been an invited presenter to a wide range of scientific organizations and Aboriginal communities throughout North America.