Aida Haghighi recognized among Canada’s Top Women in Safety, 2026
TMU School of Occupational and Public Health professor Aida Haghighi has made this year’s list of Top Female Safety Leaders in Canada.
Canadian Occupational Safety — the country’s foremost industry publication — awards the accolades to women each year who are shaping practices, innovation, culture and mentorship in the field of occupational health and safety (OHS).
Considering Dr. Haghighi’s impacts in traditionally male-dominated terrain — such as investigating the mechanics behind preventing overturning heavy cranes, and safety performance assessment of construction worker boots — the distinction feels particularly noteworthy.
“This recognition is a great honour. Research and education in occupational health and safety plays such a critical role in protecting workers and enhancing well-being across all sectors. I’m proud of the growing contributions of women in this field.”
An industrial engineer by training, Dr. Haghighi worked for almost a decade analyzing safety systems in the natural gas industry.
Now as an academic, she draws from real-world experience to teach and mentor the next-generation of young safety professionals.
She collaborates internationally on research in industrial safety in manufacturing, construction and transportation, and the use of AI, robotics and emerging technologies to transform workplace health and safety. With scores of authored publications, including for top-tier journal Safety Science, her research has secured over $260K in funding.
Read the full report in Canadian Occupational Safety (external link) .