PhD Researcher | University of British Columbia | Behavioural Science & Public Health
I study how people respond when beliefs and identity come up against evidence, in contexts where change feels costly or threatening. My doctoral research examines this in the context of meat consumption, looking at how marketing and cultural norms, particularly masculinity, shape beliefs and attitudes about meat and resistance to reduction. In parallel, I study similar evidence-belief tensions in sleep and circadian science, using meta-analytic and regression modelling to clarify what we can (and can’t) infer in cases where subjective experience and objective evidence conflict, such as in cannabis use for sleep.
Academic profile
I hold a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of British Columbia (2018; Dean’s List) and an MSc in Philosophy and Public Policy from the London School of Economics (2020; Distinction). My PhD sits at the intersection of public health and consumer behaviour.
Scholar
ORCID
Resume
Velzeboer, R., Scullion, K., Boulet, L., Buhler, H., Walsh, Z., & Lai, W. W. K. (2026). Self-reported sleep changes among medical cannabis users: Associations with symptom targets and use patterns. Sleep Medicine, 138 (S1), 107788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2025.107788
Velzeboer, R., Wei, S., & Lai, W. W. K. (2025). Chronic cannabis use and sleep architecture: A cross-sectional analysis of polysomnography outcomes in a sleep-clinic cohort. Sleep, zsaf396. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaf396
Velzeboer, R., Malas, A., Wei, S., Berger, R., Parmar, V., & Lai, W. W. K. (2025). Cannabis and sleep architecture: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 84, 102164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102164
Velzeboer, R. (2024, December 26). Meat and manhood: Unpacking resistance to reduced meat consumption. Behavioural Public Policy Blog. https://bppblog.com/2024/12/26/meat-manhood-unpacking-resistance-reduced-consumption/
Oliffe, J. L., Kelly, M. T., Gao, N., Velzeboer, R., Sharp, P., & Li, E. P. H. (2024). The commercial determinants of men’s health promotion: A case study of gambling, nonnies, and athleisurewear. American Journal of Men’s Health, 18(5), 15579883241277047. https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883241277047
Velzeboer, R., Li, E., Gao, N., Sharp, P., & Oliffe, J. L. (2024). Masculinity, meat, and veg*nism: A scoping review. American Journal of Men’s Health, 18(2), 15579883241247173. https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883241247173
Velzeboer, R., Malas, A., Boerkel, P., Cullen, K., Hawkins, M., Roesler, J., & Lai, W. W. K. (2022). Cannabis dosing and administration for sleep: A systematic review. Sleep, 45(11), zsac218. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsac218
Public engagement
I aim to make my research findings policy-relevant and publicly meaningful through talks, interviews, and written commentaries.
If you’d like to discuss, feature, or collaborate on this work, feel free to get in touch at rob.velzeboer@ubc.ca.
Rob Velzeboer 