The Positive Play Academy Team

Dr. Wood is a psychologist who specializes in the study of gaming behaviour. He has published numerous gambling related articles, presented his findings at conferences and seminars around the world and undertaken research and gaming consultations for more than 100 gaming companies, regulators and other stakeholders. Dr Wood’s research focuses on optimizing gaming strategies and he led the development of the Positive Play Scale, the first ever empirical scale for measuring levels of responsible play in player populations.

In addition, Dr Wood investigates both the individual causes of problem gambling as well as the structural characteristics of games that can influence the gambling behaviour of vulnerable players. He also developed and manages www.Gamgard.com that informs socially responsible game design.

Dr. Wohl is a psychologist in the field of gambling studies and was a co-developer of the Positive Play framework. He also works in advancing evidence-based strategies to increase the uptake and sustained use of responsible gambling tools. Through this work, Dr. Wohl continues to bridge science and practice, with the goal of reducing gambling-related harms while preserving gambling as a form of entertainment for those who choose to play responsibly.

In addition, Dr Wohl is a Professor of Psychology at Carleton University. Work in his Gambling Laboratory focuses on, among other things, factors that predict disordered gambling and facilitate responsible gambling. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, 70 government or gaming industry reports, and is the recipient of, among other recognitions, the International Center for Responsible Gaming’s Research Achievement Award and Carleton University’s Graduate Mentorship Award. To facilitate his research, he has received research funding from an array of national and international agencies.

Dr. Tabri is a co-developer of the Positive Play Scale and the lead developer of the Financially Focused Self-Concept Scale. To date, he has published 79 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Dr Tabri leads the psychometric development and evaluation components of our Positive Play studies.

Dr. Nassim Tabri is also an Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Mental Health and Addictions Laboratory at Carleton University. His research focuses on, among other things, how different transdiagnostic factors (e.g., financial focus, overvalued ideation, perfectionism, and impulsivity) may function together to proliferate and maintain engagement in various behaviours, including gambling as well as a range of other addictive behaviours (e.g., disordered eating, compulsive buying, substance use).

Sabrina has many years of experience managing online support services, organizing electronic databases, and developing web-based materials. Sabrina has also worked as a healthcare professional in both Canada and the UK which has given her an excellent understanding of the issues related to unhealthy behaviour patterns and vulnerable populations. Sabrina coordinates most of the online resources and activities that Gamres undertakes.