Dr. Tristan Hopper

Biography

Tristan Hopper's research program broadly focuses on enhancing equity-seeking youths’ experiences in recreation and leisure spaces. His work primarily utilizes community-based participatory research methods to build thriving communities that provide effective support systems, co-creating and co-implementing people-centered solutions with a trauma-sensitive, social justice approach. His research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation. As a research associate for Growing Young Movers (GYM), a community-based youth development program, he integrates his expertise in Therapeutic Recreation, where he is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), as a research-practitioner. Hopper has a keen interest in Therapeutic Recreation research and practice, with particular emphasis on meaning-centered practices for individuals experiencing mental illness and substance use issues. He has practiced as a Recreational Therapist in various settings, including children’s mental health, forensics, and education. In his spare time, Tristan enjoys outdoor activities such as running, gardening, and alpine skiing.

Research Interests

Experience