Biography
Dr. Catherine S. Shaffer, Ph.D., C.F.C.P., is an internationally recognized scientist and researcher. She currently serves as a Strategic Planning Analyst within a Government of Canada Intelligence Hub, where she contributes to high-impact initiatives and the dissemination of strategic information on preventing financial crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing, and related predicate offences.
Dr. Shaffer is also an Adjunct Professor of Forensic Psychology and Law at Simon Fraser University, home to one of North America’s leading forensic psychology programs, where she supervises research related to the prevention, assessment, and management of violent behavior. She is the Founder of Shaffer Research and Statistical Consulting, where she provides specialized services in research design and statistical analysis to individuals working in academia and the private sector.
Her earlier work spans a diverse range of academic and applied settings, including university research labs, international organizations, and government agencies. She has led and contributed to initiatives focused on forensic research, violence risk assessment and management, youth offending, population health, and gang and organized crime disruption.
From 2022 to 2025, Dr. Shaffer served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, which is part of a global network committed to advancing best practices in the assessment and management of stalking, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, workplace violence, child abuse, gang violence, and political terrorism.
Her work has earned multiple prestigious honors, including awards from the Canadian Psychological Association, the American Psychology–Law Society, and the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services. Notably, she received the Christopher Webster Award, in recognition of significant early-career contributions to the forensic mental health field.
Dr. Shaffer’s research has reached global audiences, featured in television, radio, print, and online media across five continents.
Dr. Shaffer holds a B.A. (Honours) in Psychology with Distinction from the University of Victoria and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology and Law from Simon Fraser University. She is also a Certified Financial Crimes Professional (C.F.C.P.), accredited by the Canadian Financial Crime Academy.
Dr. Catherine S. Shaffer, Ph.D., C.F.C.P. 