Industry Experience. Impact Focused. Values Driven.
Dawson Analytics Inc. is an Indigenous-owned research consulting company founded and led by a husband-and-wife team that brings together their complementary expertise in pipeline industry operations, data analysis, program evaluation, and policy research. We founded our company in 2021 to bridge the gap between industry and community. We understand how programs and policies affect people and communities in real-world settings, and we partner with our clients to deliver research that strengthens safety outcomes, supports accountability, and contributes to healthier, more resilient communities.
Our lived industry experience gives us a practical, on-the-ground understanding of how programs and policies play out, while our research and analytical strengths ensure our work is rigorous, evidence-based, and actionable. As an Indigenous-owned business, we prioritize community-driven, culturally-informed solutions through meaningful, respectful and genuine community engagement.
Dawson Analytics Inc. is a registered business with the Metis Nation British Columbia. We are a values-driven company that is committed to respecting Indigenous values and ways of knowing. We are committed to supporting the ongoing journey towards reconciliation through authentic engagement and responsible action.
Meet the Team.
Stephanie Johnston (Dawson), PhD, Co-Founder, Vice President, Research and Consulting Expert.
Stephanie Johnston was born and raised in the lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada. She has earned a BA, MA, and PhD from Simon Fraser University. Specializing in Criminology, her research has focused on various topics including policing, serious and violent offending in youth, domestic violence, communities and crime, as well as terrorism. She has co-authored over a dozen peer-reviewed publications and research reports, and contributed to and/or personally delivered several presentations.
Coupled with her nearly decade of teaching experience, she has over fourteen years of experience in various research-related roles: data analyst, project manager, and independent consultant. Combined, these experiences have enabled Stephanie to develop a vast array of skills relevant to all stages of research and data analysis.
Stephanie has worked collaboratively with government and community agencies to transform insights gathered from community members and key stakeholders, as well as volumes of data into evidence-based, community-driven solutions to policing and public safety issues. She is passionate about research and looks forward to empowering you with knowledge about what data can do for you.
Ryan Johnston, Co-Founder, President, Industry Expert.
Ryan Johnston began his career as a bridgeman and pile driver. Accumulating invaluable hands-on experience and knowledge of the industry, Ryan was promoted to President of West Coast Pile Driving in 2013. He has since led the company through significant growth and modernization, including the expansion of its fleet with Junttan and ABI piling rigs, as well as modern Kobelco and Liebherr crawler cranes. Ryan’s project experience includes major pipeline and civil infrastructure work across British Columbia, with Fortis LMIPSU, Trans Mountain, and Enbridge’s Aspen Point Project being among some of the most notable large-scale piling projects.
In recognition of his leadership and industry impact, Ryan was named to On-Site Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2023.
Dr. Garth Davies, Research Associate
Dr. Davies is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University (SFU), the Director of the Institute of Violence, Terrorism, and Security at Simon Fraser University, and the Director of the Canadian Network for Research on Security, Extremism and Society. He is also a research associate with the International CyberCrime Research Centre (SFU) and the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV).
Dr. Davies’ predominant area of expertise is advanced statistical analysis. Dr. Davies has been involved with numerous policing-based research projects, including those for the Vancouver Police Department, the Surrey RCMP Detachment, the Richmond RCMP Detachment, the Burnaby RCMP Detachment, and several research projects for “E” Division RCMP, including two evaluations of the British Columbia Real-Time Intelligence Centre (RTIC-BC). In these projects, Dr. Davies has aided in conducting evaluations of entire detachments or departments (Surrey RCMP, RTIC-BC, Burnaby RCMP) or specific aspects of police organizations (the service delivery model of Richmond RCMP). In all these projects, Dr. Davies has been responsible for creating research methods; collecting, cleaning, and managing quantitative and qualitative data; statistical analyses of data; and the writing up of research results. He has also presented these findings to police leaders and municipal councils.
Dr. Davies holds an RCMP Top Secret security clearance. He is the author or co-author of dozens of reports and articles related to policing and public safety. Dr. Davies has also presented at dozens of national and international conferences, including the Western Society of Criminology, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and the American Society of Criminology. He has also presented at briefings for the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (“E” Division), the Canadian Security Intelligence Services, and Public Safety Canada, and has testified on national security issues in front of both the Canadian Parliament, as well as the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defense.