Canadian Child Interviewing Research Team (CCIRT) 

CCIRT (https://www.ccirt.ca/home) is a group of Canadian researchers examining methods for obtaining the most honest and accurate reports from child witnesses and victims. Our focus is on working with partners to understand evidence-based methods for improving children’s testimony on the stand and forensic interviewing practices. Funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Example of research outcomes:

• Wylie, B. E., Bruer, K. C., Williams, S., & Evans, A. D. (2024). Lawyer questioning practices in Canadian courtrooms. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000413 

Influence of Interviewing Questioning Practices

This research examines what questions are challenging for children to accurately answer and what issues may threaten a child’s credibility. Funded by American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS) awards. 

Example of research outcomes:

• Wylie, B. E., Stolzenberg, S. N., & Lyon, T. D. (2026). The potential ambiguity of negative questions in children’s testimony. Applied Cognitive Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.70182 

Metacommunication

This research examines how children talk about prior conversations (i.e., talking about talking). Funded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and CHASS Junior Faculty Development award.

Example of research outcomes:

• Wylie, B. E., McWilliams, K., Stolzenberg, S. N., Evans, A. D., & Lyon, T. D. (2022). Young children’s understanding of the epistemic and deontic meanings of “ask” and “tell”. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2022.105516 

Protocol for responding to children's disclosures of maltreatment

This research explores protocols for respodning to children's initial disclosures of maltreatment. We are particularily interested in working with frontline workers, including nurses (Funded by American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS)), law enforcement, daycare providers, and teachers. 

Parent-child conversations

This research examines whether and how parents communicate with their children, during times of uncertainty or about topics that may be difficult to approach.

Example of research outcomes:

• Wylie, B. E. & Evans, A. D. (2025). Parents’ approaches to conversations with their 5- to 18-year-olds about the 2024 US presidential election. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy. https://doi.org/10.1111/asap.70039 

• Wylie, B. E., Malloy, L. C., Fine, A. D., & Evans, A. D. (2023). Do parents have “The Talk” or believe they should?: Parent-child conversations about interacting with the police. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-023-00248-9