Dr. Kathleen Van Benthem ( She/Her )

Research Team, Carleton University

Project Management, Cognitive Modeling, Driver Assessment, and Policy Development

Dr. Van Benthem has been researching the effects of age and cognitive factors on human performance of complex tasks for more than 15 years. Dr. Van Benthem has extensive experience in the cognitive assessment of older adults in relation to complex cognitive activities, including driving and aviation. Dr. Van Benthem was Director of Policy and Standards at the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, where she developed policy and resources to address older driver safety in Canada. She presently leads a research program at the Advanced Cognitive Engineering Laboratory, Carleton University, that incorporates virtual and augmented reality in flight environments. Dr. Van Benthem also leads research projects with the goal of developing novel technologies for improving the safety of older adults as drivers and aviators. She has extensive experience in the use of biometric devices designed to measure performance, engagement, and mental workload in complex environments. She integrates second- generation statistical methods, cognitive modeling, and machine learning techniques to predict safety-related outcomes in aviation. She is an Adjunct Research Professor and Contract Instructor with the Department of Cognitive Science, Carleton University. Dr. Van Benthem is a past postdoctoral fellow and HQP with the AGE-WELL NCE.