John Rainford was an internationally renowned practitioner and scholar of crisis and emergency risk communication. He was a former executive at Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, a leader in risk communication at the World Health Organization, and a social entrepreneur who established The Warning Project, an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of effective communication to keep nations, communities and individuals safe during emergencies and other serious health threats.

When he wasn’t advising governments during emergencies, or flying around the world to conduct seminars, lead simulations or deliver other professional training programs, John taught health communication and crisis/risk communication in the Communication and Media Studies program at Carleton University.

This fund was established by John’s family, friends and colleagues, in recognition of his commitment to global public health and his passion for teaching the next generation of crisis and risk communicators. The fund will support those students in their scholarly pursuits and professional development. 

The purpose of this fund is to support the costs of research travel and/or conference travel for students enrolled in a Communication and Media Studies program who are conducting research on health communication, crisis and risk communication, and/or science communication.  The fund was endowed in 2021 by family, friends, and colleagues in memory of John Rainford to honour his career as an international crisis and risk communication practitioner and scholar, and for his contributions to student learning and development. Revised 2024.