A life changing experience as a Psychology student | Bethany Parkinson

by

Imagine stepping into a correctional facility for the first time—what do you anticipate? Most people imagine a tough, intimidating place. For Bethany Parkinson, this experience was life-changing, but not in the way you might expect.

Originally from Northern BC, Bethany’s interest in psychology started in high school when personal circumstances led to her passion for mental health issues. “I’ve always wanted to join the mental health field,” she says. As she works towards completing her degree, her career goal is clear: to counsel and assess inmates in Canadian correctional facilities.

For Bethany, the unique practicum designed for Liberal Arts students at the Correctional Service of Canada was transformative.

“This experience was life-changing,” she shares. “Not in a way that changed my career path, but in a way that confirmed my plans and goals were possible.”

In addition to confirming her career goals, Bethany also shared how this experience allowed her to reshape her perspectives about inmates and helped her gain the necessary skills to pursue this career:

Working in the correctional system is not for the faint of heart, and entering a prison is a great way to see where one stands on the faint-of-heart scale. This practicum gave me that chance; that is why I chose it. The experience taught me many new skills, my favourite being the ability to engage in nonjudgmental and supportive talk with the inmates. When talking to an inmate, I had to keep in mind that they are there for a reason, however, they are still a person and deserve to be respected as such.

Bethany faced several challenges during her practicum, such as overcoming her preconceived notions about prison life and managing her emotional reactions to inmates’ crimes. With the support of her mentors, she found a safe space to express her feelings and ask questions.

The biggest challenges I faced were overcoming my expectations and my emotional responses. My expectations were a challenge in that I was prepared for the rough, loud, and scary place that the media portrays prisons to be – this portrayal could not be more wrong. As for my emotional reactions, those became an issue when I heard about certain crimes that people had committed to get into prison – some affected me more than others. I do feel as though my mentors helped me with both issues as I felt comfortable asking questions and expressing my feelings in the psychologically safe environment they created.

Looking ahead, Bethany plans to complete her BA in Psychology with Honours, pursue a master’s in clinical psychology with a forensic focus, and ultimately complete a PhD while working within Canadian correctional services.

To future students, Bethany offers some powerful advice:

Focus on the person, not their situation. When placed in positions of authority, people tend to forget that those who are under them are just as human as they are, and when people are in a situation where the other person is a prisoner, they tend to immediately assume they are superior because they are free, and the other person is not. In this area, that kind of thinking could be detrimental to the healing and rehabilitation of the person they are trying to help.

It’s safe to say that this 21-year-old is well on her way toward realizing her future aspirations!

From Classroom to Parliament: The Experience of Serving as an Expert Witness as a Political Scientist and Professor

by

Few experiences in academia match the excitement and significance of testifying before Parliament. In October 2023, Political Science Assistant Professor Dr. Noah Schwartz was called to serve as an expert witness before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Veteran Affairs as part of the study of Bill C-21 related to the regulation of firearms in Canada.

Dedicating his career to the study of firearms policy in Canada and the United States, Dr. Schwartz provided a transparent and honest perspective on the problems with Bill C-21. Based on his research with over 16,000 Canadian gun owners from coast to coast, he stated how this bill could be harmful to Canadians and not effective in reducing gun crime, as a freeze on handgun ownership wouldn’t stop gun smugglers from continuing their business in the Canadian black market.

Although aware that it was unlikely that the Senate would make amendments, Dr. Schwartz couldn’t refuse the opportunity to raise concerns highlighted by his work and research participants.

“I could not pass up the opportunity to speak truth to power so directly. As my mentor told me, ‘Tell them what you want the history books to remember you saying.’”

Reflecting on the parallel between being a Political Science Professor and serving as an expert witness, Dr. Schwartz highlighted the meaningful and lasting impact of this experience on his teaching philosophy and classroom approach.

“At the time, I was teaching my POSC 357 course on Guns & Politics. I had to cancel one of the lectures because it coincided with my Senate Appearance. I sent the students the link to watch the live stream but did not expect many of them to tune in at 8:30 am on a Thursday. It was heartwarming to see the flood of messages of support I received from my students after the committee meeting. Many had watched and seemed excited to see their professor engaging Parliament on the very issues they were studying. One student said excitedly: ‘You just told them the same things we have been learning all semester!'”

Dr. Schwartz also used this experience to create a Parliamentary simulation with his students during the last class of the term.

“I was able to take my experience as an expert witness in Parliament and apply it directly to the simulation. For example, our simulation included a study of the bill in committee,” says Schwartz. “Students roleplaying as Members of Parliament, advocates, and experts had to appear before the committee and answer questions – just like I did (though I was much nicer with my students than the Senators are to real witnesses).”

Serving as an expert witness reinforced the lesson he tells his students:

“Politics is a game played by a set of rules that have been in place for a very long time. If you do not learn the rules of the game (institutions), you cannot understand how politics works.”

When asked about the legacy he hopes to leave behind in terms of shaping the next generation of leaders and influencers, Dr. Schwartz is clear:

“Students come to political science because they want to change the world, but I think they sometimes underestimate the work required. Sometimes, student movements confuse getting attention with making changes. If you want to leave your mark on the history books, you have to do your homework first and genuinely understand the issues you are talking about. Research can be a powerful tool to help you do that.”

Bridging Psychology & Criminal Justice: Logan York’s Practicum with Correctional Service of Canada

by

Logan York is a recent BA graduate in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Originally from Red Deer, Alberta, Logan found his way to British Columbia, where he has lived most of his life and began shaping his career aspirations.

Logan’s fascination with psychology grew from a lifelong curiosity about human behaviour, particularly in understanding criminal behaviour.

“I’ve always had a fascination for psychology. More than that, I’ve always been interested in why people behave or act in certain ways. (…) I have always wanted to know why criminals commit serious crimes. Crimes that ordinary people would find unfathomable. These curiosities are the foundation of why I chose a BA in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice.”

Envisioning a career working with individuals who end up in the judicial system, Logan’s academic journey took an exciting turn when he secured a practicum placement with the Correctional Service of Canada. During his semester-long placement, Logan had the opportunity to visit various correctional facilities throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, spanning from minimum to maximum security. Immersed in diverse environments, he gained a deeper understanding of each facility’s dynamics and worked closely with a wide range of working professionals. Stepping into the high-security environment of a prison was an impactful moment for him as it offered firsthand insight into the complexities of the correctional system.

Nonetheless, the journey presented its own set of obstacles. Logan found himself navigating the delicate balance of establishing boundaries within the confines of the prison walls. “Ensuring that I set appropriate boundaries between myself, and the inmates was a significant challenge,” he admits. Yet, through perseverance and determination, he learned the importance of maintaining both spatial and personal boundaries, a valuable lesson that shaped his experience.

Reflecting on his practicum experience within the correctional system, Logan remains inspired by the multitude of career opportunities it offers. “My practicum opened my eyes to the plethora of positions within Correctional Service Canada that I did not know existed,” he shares. As he thinks about his next steps, Logan’s career path remains open-ended, with a keen interest in working with offenders either within the Correctional Service of Canada or in the broader community.

For future students embarking on a similar journey, Logan offers some wise advice:

“If you have interests, explore them. You do not need to wait until you have chosen a career before exploring these interests. I would also recommend completing a practicum during your undergraduate degree as this was a defining moment for me during my time at UFV.”

Talk the talk, walk the walk: A lifelong commitment to Human Rights and International Law

by

In November 2023, Criminology Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Kersten was invited to speak to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development about Canada’s approach to diplomacy, particularly its inconsistent commitment to international law. As an expert witness, he testified about his hope that Canada could be a leader in human rights and concerns over Canada’s double standards in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes – war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide – both abroad and in Canada. Mark was also asked to submit a written brief to the Standing Committee, which is now part of the House of Commons official record.

As a human rights practitioner and professor, Mark emphasizes the importance of serving as a role model for students and demonstrating that a commitment to human rights extends beyond the classroom.

It is important to me that my students know that I don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk. A genuine commitment to human rights and international justice can’t end when the bell rings at the end of class or when it’s time to go home after work. It truly is a life commitment. By sharing with my students, the that work I do outside the university, I hope to leave them with the impression that human rights matter not simply as an intellectual project, but in everyday life, and to the most powerful political actors in the country. I also hope this work leaves my students with the impression that human rights and international law and justice matter, not some of the time, but all of the time.

When asked about the lessons and insights he gained from serving as an expert witness, Mark highlights the misconception that human rights are something distant from daily life.

Sometimes people think human rights and a commitment to international law is something that happens ‘elsewhere,’ away from day-to-day life. That’s the farthest thing from the truth! Many people, including students and professors, enjoy the lives they have precisely because of hard-fought gains in the field of human rights, whi

ch have often come at immense sacrifice. Like the famed lawyer Bryan Stevenson says, I want aspiring professionals to know that the measure of our character is how we treat the most marginalized and vulnerable people in our communities and in our world. A dedication to improving the human rights and access to justice for those whose rights are most fragile and least respected can and does improve all of our rights.

Reflecting on his experiences as both an expert witness and a professor, and the legacy he hopes to leave in shaping the next generation of leaders and influencers, Mark underscores the importance of showing people that human rights and international laws matter.

I hope that I’m nowhere near the point of reflecting on my legacy quite yet! But in my work, I do hope to leave the impression that human rights and international law matter. They are relevant in our neighbourhoods and communities. They are relevant across Canada and around the world. Our shared humanity depends on adherence to the basic standards of human rights law and decency, and we can’t be too privileged or too distracted to forget that or take it for granted.

April News | Faculty Projects and Publications | UFV College of Arts

by

April News at the College of Arts

Check out what our faculty at the College of Arts have been up to this April!

From exciting projects to new publications, read more about their work and connect us to learn more about the College of Arts.

🤳 Follow us on Instagram

💼 Follow us on LinkedIn

📥 Subscribe to our Arts Newsletter

Criminology and Criminal Justice

History

Philosophy

  • Dr. Anna Cook, Assistant Professor and Head of the Philosophy Department, has contributed a chapter to “The Bloomsbury Handbook of Pragmatism.” Her chapter, titled “Pragmatism and Indigenous Philosophy,” is a part of Part IV of the book which focuses on Pragmatism in the Multicultural World.

Political Science

  • Political Science Assistant Professor Dr. Simon Lambek has published a research article in the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Lambek S. The Constitutive Power of Public Debate. Canadian Journal of Political Science. 2024;57(1):156-173. doi:10.1017/S000842392300077X

Psychology

Connecting leadership, advocacy and purpose: student experience with Ashley McDougall

by

Leadership, advocacy and purpose

We can all agree that connecting passion and purpose may not always be an easy task, especially when discussing academic life and career goals. But what if, as a student, you had the opportunity to experience a seamless blend of the two?

Meet Ashley McDougall, a Bachelor of Arts student and the president of the UFV Student Union Society (SUS). With a passion for advocacy and governance, Ashley’s journey exemplifies the deep impact that student leadership can have on campus and beyond.

  1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Ashley McDougall's portrait.I am a student in the Bachelor of Arts program with a major in Economics and a minor in Political Science. I have also completed a certificate in Advanced French Proficiency alongside my degree. Over the past 2 years, I have been involved in student leadership as the former Vice President External and current President of the Student Union Society (SUS). I have a passion for advocacy and governance; I am honoured to have the privilege to use this passion to help fellow students in my work at SUS.

  1. What motivated you to choose this field of study?

I chose to study Economics and Political Science because they are the subjects I am most passionate about and they fit in perfectly with my goals and career interests. I’m interested in working with economic policy in the future and I feel my studies in these fields have given me a vast background of knowledge that I will be able to draw on as I pursue a career in policy work.

  1. Congratulations on being invited to the UN Peace Summit in Bangkok, Thailand this year! This is such a great achievement! Can you tell us about this experience and what you shared and/or learned as a UFV ambassador?

The UN Peace Summit in Bangkok Thailand was an experience of a lifetime! I am so honoured to have been able to represent UFV at the summit. It was an incredible opportunity to learn from keynote speakers about peace-building strategies and hear first-hand accounts of resilience and strength from survivors of genocide. As well, I was able to form connections with other student leaders from around the world. I’m grateful to have contributed to and learned from such important dialogues on global peace.

Ashley McDougall in front of a blue panel that reads "Humanitarian Affairs Asia presents: 3rd Global Peace Summit 2024 - A world together." Ashley is smiling, standing and wearing a black suit.
Ashley McDougall at the 3rd Global Peace Summit 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand.
  1. You have also participated in other student organizations on campus. Can you share about your experience? What were the biggest challenges you faced, and what did you learn?

Outside of my studies, I have been very involved on campus with Clubs and Associations and SUS. I am the former Vice President External and current President of SUS. I am also the former President of the Political Science Student Association and current President of the newly-founded Economics Student Association. My experiences in these leadership positions, particularly with SUS, have allowed me to build community and engagement on campus and advocate for fellow students. In my roles at SUS, I was able to successfully advocate to UFV for the first Fall reading break, which began in Fall 2023. I was also able to contribute to hosting several events on campus, like Kickback, and initiated a new event at the Chilliwack campus, Backyard Bash! One of the biggest challenges I have faced is time management and mitigating burnout, which has taught me the importance of balance.

  1. How do you feel about completing your degree? If you could go back in time, is there anything you would have done differently?

I’m really excited to be nearing the completion of my degree! If I could go back in time, I would have gotten involved at UFV sooner.

  1. What are your career plans moving forward?

I’m really interested in using my knowledge gained in Economics and Political Science in governance and policy work, specifically relating to economic policy. My goal is to hold a political office one day in the hope of being able to create policy that makes a positive difference.

  1. What advice would you give to future students interested in your area of study?

Take risks and get involved! Gaining experience during your degree is one of the best ways to figure out what you want to do with your career and to build up your professional experience while still in school. Especially for students studying Economics or Political Science, running in SUS elections gives you practical experience with democratic processes, governance, policy and advocacy work.

Faculty Projects | March 2024

by

Criminology & Criminal Justice

  • Criminology Associate Professors Dr. Irwin Cohen and Dr. Amanda McCormick wrote a report on the use of restorative justice in power-based crimes. Cohen, I.M., Plecas, D., McCormick, A.V., De Jager, T., Davies, G., & Dawson, S. (2024). The Effects of Police Pre-Charge Restorative Justice on Future Criminal Involvement and the Use of Restorative Justice in Cases Related to Power-Based Crimes. Report for Public Safety Solicitor General. Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research.
  • Criminology Associate Professor Dr. Jon Heidt co-authored a book on cannabis control. Heidt, J., & Wheeldon, J. (2023). Visions of Cannabis Control. Oxford University Press.
  • Criminology Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Kersten submitted a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development on the role of Canada in investigating and prosecuting international crimes and violations of human rights law.
    • Kersten was also interviewed by CBC News and The Breach Show on January 26 about the recent International Court of Justice decision.
    • He also contributed to the Toronto Star on the recent issue before the International Court of Justice.
  • Criminology Assistant Professor Dr. Carlos Ponce was interviewed by SBS on the role of the state of emergency in El Salvador and its impact on the upcoming presidential and legislative elections.
    • Dr. Ponce was also interviewed by elsalvador.com about the secret negotiations between public officials and gang leaders in El Salvador and their potential effects on the elections.

History

Political Science

  • Political Science Assistant Professor Dr. Simon Lambek published an article: Simon Lambek, “The Constitutive Power of Public Debate”, Canadian Journal of Political Science. 57, no.1 (2024), doi:10.1017/S000842392300077X

Psychology

  • Psychology Assistant Professor Dr. Kristina Gicas published a research article: Differential sensitivity of intraindividual variability dispersion and global cognition in the prediction of functional outcomes and mortality in precariously housed and homeless adults. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. 1-24. 5 Mar. 2024.
    • Dr. Gicas also co-authored an article: Tang, V. M., Zawertailo, L., Selby, P., Zangen, A., Mehta, D., George, T.P., Le Foll, B., Gicas, K. M., Sloan, M.E., Veldhuizen, S. (2024). Identifying clinical predictors of response to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for smoking cessation: Secondary analysis of a multicenter RCT. Brain Stimulation, 17(1), 137-139. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.01.008

School of Communication

  • School of Communication Associate Professor Dr. Jeffrey Orr co-edited a collection that explores the Canada-US border through a variety of theoretical, cultural, and literary approaches and aims to contextualize cultures and communities within a wider global understanding of border thinking.

School of Creative Arts

  • From The University of Toronto Press (UTP) the Summer 2023 issue of The Canadian Theatre Review (Vol. 195) is on Performance and Pathography. Combining the words ‘pathology’ and ‘biography,’ pathographies are illness narratives that explore the intersections of health, identity, and storytelling. Edited by Visual Arts faculty Dr. Candace Couse and former SoCA school director and current Dean of Fine Arts, University of Lethbridge, Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch, the issue unites several scholars across Canada. Contributors to this issue take up poetry, visual arts, dance, theory, performance, comedy, scriptwriting and more to explore valuable perspectives on coping mechanisms, resilience, and the human experience in the face of adversity.

 

Faculty Publications & Projects | January 2024

by

Criminology and Criminal Justice

  • Criminology Associate Professor Dr. Jon Heidt co-authored a publication on cannabis and international criminology. Wheeldon, J., & Heidt, J. (in press). Cannabis and international criminology: Tolerance, aversion, and legal technical assistance. Crime, Law, and Social Change.
  • Criminology Assistant Professor Dr. Carlos Ponce was interviewed on December 9, 2023, by News Talk 980 CKNW to discuss the increase in extortion cases in BC. The interview highlighted current trends and patterns in extortion, different types of extortion, and its potential impact on our community.
  • Criminology Associate Professor Dr. Hayli Millar’s chapter on prosecuting trafficking in persons offences is available through Fernwood Publishing. O’Doherty, T., & Millar, H. (in press). Prosecuting Trafficking in Persons Offences: Problems and Pitfalls in the Post-PCEPA Era. In K. Roots, A. De Shalit, & E. van der Meulen (eds.), Trafficking Harms: Critical Politics, Perspectives and Experiences.
  • Criminology Associate Professor Dr. Amanda McCormick presented a webinar for the Research and Education for Solutions to Violence and Abuse (RESOLVE) Network on the topic “Enhancing System Responses to Survivors and Perpetrators of Strangulation in Intimate Partner Violence.”
    • Dr. McCormick also conducted another webinar Associate for the Connect Centre for Research on Violence and Harm at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK. McCormick, A. (2023, November 8). Recognizing and Responding to Strangulation and Brain Injury Among Victims/Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence.
    • She also presented “Coercive Control in Intimate Partner Relationships” at the Abbotsford ACCESS Agency Awareness and Connection Breakfast as part of the Purple Lights Nights theme on intimate partner violence.
    • Additionally, she spoke at the Be Safe, Be Well community event in Abbotsford on October 18, 2023.
  • The following Criminology professors presented papers at the latest American Society of Criminology Conference held in Philadelphia, PA:
    • Associate Professor Dr. Amanda McCormick: McCormick, A. (2023, November). Police Responses to Intimate Partner Violence with Indigenous Populations. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, November 15-18, 2023.
    • Associate Professor Dr. Carlos Ponce: Ponce, C. (2023, November). #PunitivePopulism: An Examination of Retweet Networks That Promote Criminal Justice Abuses in El Salvador. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, November 15-18, 2023.
    • Associate Professor Dr. Jon Heidt: Heidt, J., & Wheeldon, J. (2023, November). Cannabis Research: Criminology, Ethics, and Evidence. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, November 15-18, 2023.
    • Associate Professor Dr. Stanislav Vysotsky: Vysotsky, S. (2023, November). Beyond Anomie: Modernizing and Applying Subculture Theory in Criminology. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, November 15-18, 2023.
  • Criminology Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Kersten testified as part of a witness panel for the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Dr. Kersten testified on Canada’s commitment to international law and the prosecution of international crimes.

Modern Languages

  • On January 12th, MOLA’s Department Head Dr. Alan Cameron and French Sessional Instructor Andrew Iverson visited grades 11 and 12 classes at WJ Mouat’s École Secondaire school to promote UFV’s French studies program and inform prospective students of the 10 new French entry scholarships available to them.

Philosophy

Psychology

Political Science

  • The Political Science department organized a very successful POLITALK on November 9, 2023. They welcomed speakers from the Canadian Armed Forces, LCol Jesse van Eijk and Major Jurgen Miranda, who spoke on the topic “Canada’s land force commitment to NATO and Ukraine in Europe through Operations Reassurance and Unifier.”
  • Political Science Department Head and Associate Professor Dr. Edward Akuffo participated as a panelist in a hybrid symposium organized by the Peace and Reconciliation Centre at the University of the Fraser Valley and Utrecht University on November 28, 2023. The symposium’s theme was “Beyond Reductionism: Trans-Atlantic Perspectives on the Israel-Hamas War 2023,” Dr. Akuffo’s presentation was titled: “Israel-Hamas War and the Tragedy of International Law.”
  • Political Science Assistant Professor Dr. Noah S. Schwartz travelled to Ottawa in October to appear as an expert witness before the Senate Committee on National Security and Defense (SECD) as they studied Bill C-21.
  • Political Science Assistant Professor Dr. Simon Lambek’s article: “Comedy as Dissonant Rhetoric” was published in the November 2023 volume 49, issue 9 edition of Philosophy and Socialism Criticism.

School of Communication

Theatre

  • Climate Change Theatre Action (CCTA), a global initiative aligning with the United Nations’ COP meetings, involves fifty professional playwrights creating short plays on climate change. UFV Theatre participated by staging pop-up readings and performances on their Abbotsford campus, marking their third year in the event. Various classes, including Movement for Living (THEA 210), Digital Performance (THEA 311), and Acting Skills for Work and Life (THEA 111), presented movement-based works, digital performances, and staged readings, respectively, inspired by the 2023 CCTA catalogue. Notably, individuals like Taya Viger, Han Wood, Raven Turchinetz, Hazel Franklin, and Bella Dimano contributed by presenting selected pieces from the catalogue, contributing to the global dialogue on climate change awareness.

College of Arts Deans from 2000 to today

by

A Legacy of Leadership in the College of Arts

As we move forward in time, let’s take a moment to express our gratitude to the mentors and leaders who have guided the College of Arts over the last two decades. From 2000 to the present day, we have been fortunate enough to have a series of exceptional deans, each of whom has made a lasting impact on our institution.

From left to right:

🎭️ Dr. Virginia Cooke, 2000-2005
📚 Dr. Eric Davis, 2005-2009
🎨 Dr. Jacqueline Nolte, 2009-2021
🌟 Dr. Sylvie Murray: Our current Dean, carrying the torch forward. With dedication and passion, she continues to inspire the next generation.

Four college deans standing in front of a Christmas tree. From left to right: Dr. Virginia Cooke, Dr. Eric Davis, Dr. Jacqueline Nolte, and Dr. Sylvie Murray. Dr. Cooke is dressed in a vibrant green and yellow patterned jacket, wearing glasses with short, straight hair. Dr. Davis is wearing a purple sweater and black pants, complemented by glasses. Dr. Nolte is seen in a stylish black jacket, blouse, and pants, with glasses and short, curly hair. Dr. Murray, wearing a black blouse, black pants, and a short, straight hair. The group stands closely together and smiling.

As we reflect on the deans who have shaped our past and present, we look forward to the future they have paved. The College of Arts is not just a place of education; it is a living testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership. Here’s to the trailblazers, the innovators, and the stewards of creativity – past, present, and future.

Faculty Publications & Projects | October 2023

by

Criminology and Criminal Justice

  • Criminology Associate Professor Dr. Hayli Millar wrote a report on children’s rights and the sentencing of parents. Millar, H. (2023, August). Children’s Rights and the Sentencing of Parents Facing Criminal Sanctions. International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy.
    • Milar and Criminology Professor Emeritus Yvon Dandurand wrote a report on the best interests of the child in sentencing. Millar, H., Dandurand, Y., Chin, V., Bayes, S., Capp, M., Fowler, R., Jahn, J., Pickering, B., & Castle, A. (2023). Considering the Best Interests of the Child in Sentencing and Other Decisions Concerning Parents Facing Criminal Sanctions: An Overview for Practitioners. International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy.
    • Millar presented at the European Society of Criminology and Criminal Justice Annual Meeting on human rights. O’Doherty, T., & Millar, H. (2023, September 8). Panel Presentation, Implementing the Palermo Protocol in Canada: Implications for Human Rights and Fundamental Principles of Justice. European Society of Criminology and Criminal Justice Annual Meeting, EUROCRIM 2023, Florence, Italy.
    • Millar also co-authored a submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice. Millar, H., O’Doherty, T., Roots, K., Sibley, M., & van der Meulen, E. (2023, June 15). Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice, Bill S-224: An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Trafficking in Persons).
  • Criminology Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Kersten presented at a conference on transitional justice for children organized by the University of Saskatchewan. Kersten, M. (2023, October 27). Atrocities Against Children in Settler Contexts: What, If Anything, Does Transitional Justice Tell Us?
  • Criminology Assistant Professor Dr. Carlos Ponce was interviewed by Voz Pública about wrongful convictions in El Salvador.
  • Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Kersten contributed a media article on atrocities in Palestine and Israel. Kersten, M. (2023, October 12). The ICC prosecutor needs to break his silence on Israel-Palestine.
  • Criminology Professor Emeritus Yvon Dandurand gave a lecture on criminological studies and research in Canada at the Center for Criminology and Criminal Law Research at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi – University of Law.

Philosophy

  • Philosophy Associate Professor Dr. Glen Baier presented his paper, “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream: Nietzsche’s Lyric, Artaud’s Double and the Self as Pain” at the Friedrich Nietzsche Society Annual Conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, September 14-16. The theme of the conference was “Nietzsche and the Lyric”.

Psychology

  • Psychology Assistant Professor Dr. Kristina Gicas presented “Strategies to Optimize Cognitive Functioning” at CERA Day to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons.
  • Two psychology undergraduate students, Ekam Banipal and Ariel Dennison-Hardy presented a poster at the Western Canadian Conference on Undergraduate Research and Psychology (CURP) last month, which took place at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. The research they presented examined the link between children’s rights and their beliefs about education and was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Michelle Superle (Associate Professor, Department of English) and Dr. Madison Pesowski (Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology). They had a great time discussing the project and meeting other students and faculty.