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Robert Gordon

• Played a leading role in public policy analysis and in forging connections between academic research and practice. British Columbia’s go-to expert for analyses on crime and policing.

Ted Palys

• Recognized for work in research ethics, methodology and Indigenous justice.

DARRYL PLECAS

BA Criminology, 1978 │MA Criminology, 1981

Professor Emeritus

University of the Fraser Valley

“I still pinch myself on how incredibly fortunate I was to have studied criminology at SFU. I had the most unbelievable professors, all starting with the amazing Ezzat Fattah who taught the first criminology class I ever took. He was the first in a long line of inspiring brilliant professors who instilled in me a great love for the discipline and an even greater love for research. Even better, by their example, I learned what it means to serve as a student-centred professor. As someone who ended up having a crazy fun career as a professor, I know that the catalyst in making it all happen in the first place, was my experience as an SFU.”

HOWARD SAPERS

BA Criminology, 1980

Executive Director

Canadian Civil Liberties Association

"When I enrolled in the Crim program at SFU, I thought I was on my way to law school. Starting in junior high school, I had planned on a law degree and a legal career. Then Criminology happened. I was learning about things I had never before thought, or cared, about. The content, and the enthusiasm with which it was taught made me forget about law school and fueled the career I have been fortunate to enjoy.  For me, the lesson was, and continues to be, it’s great to have a plan, but it’s better to recognize and seize opportunities. As John Lennon once said, “life is what happens when you're busy making other plans”.&��ܴdz�;

BARBARA FLEURY

BA Criminology, 1981│MA Criminology, 1989

Retired, RCMP Assistant Commissioner

Senior Security Associate,

Samuel Associates

“I think the small discussion groups we had, particularly in the M.A.  program provided for opportunities to have open discussions about topics covering a broad range of issues in criminal justice.  These different perspectives provided me with a learning experience that influenced my career by allowing me to approach challenges as a critical thinker, and gave me the confidence to believe in my abilities and to be passionate about my work."

KIM ROSSMO

PhD Criminology, 1996

Professor & Director of the Center for Geospatial 

Intelligence and Investigation

School of Criminal Justice and Criminology,

Texas State University

“The doctoral program provided me with tremendous opportunities.  From the international networking enabled by Paul and Patricia Brantingham, to the involvement in a wrongful conviction murder case with Neil Boyd, to the Japan comparative policing research project under the guidance of Curt Griffiths, to the insights into the demimonde world provided by John Lowman.  It was truly a fascinating and unique educational experience!”

IRWIN M. COHEN

PhD Criminology, 2001

Associate Professor

Director, Centre for Public Safety and Criminal 

Justice Research

University of the Fraser Valley

“My experiences at SFU set me on my career path and taught me so much about what it means to be a professor and a researcher. My time at SFU taught me the value of being academically curious and rigorous, how to be a better researcher, and provided me with the skills and knowledge to build a teaching and research career.”

ANITA GIL

BA Criminology, 2004

Port Security Director and Director, Permitting, 

Compliance & Enforcement

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA)

“My 15-year career in law enforcement, followed by criminology studies at SFU, prompted a profound re-evaluation of my personal beliefs and values. Although I entered law enforcement with the intention of promoting fairness and equity, I came to realize that I had become part of a system that often perpetuated and deepens injustice. My studies at SFU enabled me to shift direction and pursue a path focused on driving meaningful change within our social systems.”

ANDREA SPINDLER

BA CRIMINOLOGY, 2006│MA CRIMINOLOGY, 2009

Deputy Police Complaint Commissioner

Office of the Police Complaint

“My time with the SFU School of Criminology drove home the importance of research and how those skills are transferrable and applicable post academia in how we identify innovative solutions to complex problems, utilize evidence-based decision making, and the crucial ability to think critically.”

HOLLY NGUYEN

BA Criminology (Hons), 2006│MA Criminology, 2009

Assistant Professor

Pennsylvania State University

"The most valuable lesson I learned at SFU was the importance of being present and actively supporting peers and faculty. Consistently showing up, engaging in workshops, and attending talks allowed me to seize opportunities, create new ones, and feel a true stake in the community and its success. This kind of engagement isn’t always recognized as essential during graduate school, but it profoundly shaped my experience and growth as a scholar. Fully immersing myself in the School’s academic life has continued to guide how I approach scholarship and community building today."

HOWARD CHOW

BA Criminology, 2015

Deputy Chief, Operations Division

Vancouver Police Department

“I still strongly feel the education I received went well beyond simply the degree itself. But rather it provided me with all the peripheral skills and attributes that have helped me become a better police officer and more importantly, a better human being.  Skills like being a better communicator, stronger social skills - interacting with fellow students, sustaining and forming relationships, time management, and critical thinking, just to name a few.”