Our Students

Alanah Broomfield is a PhD student at York University in the Socio-Legal Studies graduate program. She completed her undergraduate degree at York University Glendon campus in French Studies with a certification in Law and Social Thought. The certificate ignited her interest in the philosophy and ethics of law, questioning what law is and what it ought to be. She is committed to using a legal pluralistic perspective to better understand the perpetuation of racial inequities within institutions. Her MRP research focuses on the racial inequalities within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States.

Alex Painter is a first-year PhD student in Socio-Legal studies at York University. He holds an MA in criminology from the University of Windsor and a BASc in criminology from Lakehead University. His MA thesis examined epistemological biases in the coverage of green protests in Canadian and US news outlets. His work primarily addresses topics in green criminology, internet theory and its interrelation with criminological studies, and trends in protest criminalization.

Alex can be contacted at paintera@yorku.ca

Ph.D. Research Interests:
White-collar crime, from both a Marxist and Foucauldian perspective, perseveres in various forms and at multiple institutional levels, because of the social influence and exploitation of capitalist neoliberalism. Fraternal cult-based crime is of particular interest because it represents the ultimate depth of privileged patriarchal violence. Information on this topic is often controversial and therefore especially lucrative with regards to credible data collection methods of academic rigor. For my Ph.D. research, I would like to further explore these themes with a focus on white-collar crime and its intersections of whiteness, masculinity and fraternity.

Why a Ph.D. in Socio-Legal Studies at York?
My academic studies and research at Trent University were largely interdisciplinary in nature. My Sociology undergraduate degree allowed me to specialize in Crime/Legal Studies and minor in Psychology; most recently, I completed Trent’s Canadian and Indigenous Studies master’s program. To continue my graduate work in Socio-Legal Studies at York - an interdisciplinary program that interconnects Law and Society with Criminology, would appear to be a seamless and logical academic next step.

Intersectionality and the criminalization of healthcare are research interests that I was particularly drawn to as an undergraduate student in Law and Society at York University. As an incoming MA student in Socio-Legal Studies, I hope to deepen my understanding of these areas by researching the impacts of closing supervised consumption sites. My interest in this topic was prompted by the Ontario government's decision to shut down all supervised consumption sites across the province. The research on closing supervised consumption sites relates to broader tensions between discourses of harm reduction and public safety. Overall, I chose the Socio-legal Studies program because it is interdisciplinary and effectively accounts for the multiple perspectives that are relevant to my research interests.

Arunita Das (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in the Socio-Legal Studies program at York University. She holds an MA in Socio-Legal Studies and a BA in Sociology. Throughout her graduate studies and work experience with non-profit charitable organizations, Das has been developing research in racism, hate and extremism, colonization, and feminist criminology for over five years. Her current research examines the relationship between Canadian far-right women, online hate speech, hate crime, and free expression laws in Canada.

Brianna Garneau is a PhD candidate in Socio-legal Studies and holds a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship. She earned her MA in Criminology from the University of Ottawa, where she studied the racial exclusionary mechanisms of citizenship and national security. Her doctoral research is focused on the symbiotic harms of detention and deportation as experienced by families in Canada and the ways these experiences are shaped by the racially embedded processes of criminalization, securitization, and punishment. Brianna has worked as a research assistant on the Deporting Refugees: Hidden Injustice in Canada project (romerohouse.org) and has co-authored the article Carceral experiences and custodial lifeworld of prisoners’ families: The impacts of ion scan technology in Canadian prisons (journals.sagepub.com).

Brianna can be reached at: bgarneau@yorku.ca.

Can Turgut is a Ph.D. candidate in the Socio-Legal Studies Graduate Program. His research project interrogates some of the major theories of comparative constitutional studies and public law, such as constitution-making, constitutional supremacy, rule of law, and sovereignty, in their capacity to influence modern state-making practices, neo-liberal transformations, resistance, transitional justice, self-determination, and indigeneity. He contextualizes these socio-legal concepts and theories in global North and South relations, the expansion of capitalism, neo-colonialism, and Euro-America centrism. His purpose is to expand the scope of the field of comparative constitutional studies and comparative public law by pushing their boundaries away from the binary opposition between liberalism and illiberal authoritarianism.

Before joining York University Socio-Legal Studies Graduate Program, Turgut received his LLB degree from Istanbul Bilgi University, where he was part of the legal clinic team as a law student instructor. After graduating from Istanbul Bilgi University, he continued his studies in the Galatasaray University’s LL.M. program in public law. He was a visiting researcher at Institut d'études politiques de Paris (SciencesPo Paris Law School). He defended his LL.M. thesis titled ‘Comparative legal theory and the case of common law constitutionalism in early medieval Europe’ (forthcoming book in Turkish). He is a non-practicing lawyer with the Istanbul Bar Association, where he previously worked on constitutional and international human rights litigation, refugee rights, and criminal and administrative law. He is the co-chair of the Socio-Legal Studies Graduate Student Association.

Chante Barnwell is a full-time Ph.D. student in Socio-Legal Studies and a graduate teaching assistant for the Law and Society program within the Department of Social Science at York University. Her Ph.D. dissertation research will examine the intersections of visual jurisprudence, race, Canadian cultural policy, and the perception of criminality and victimization in institutionally digitalized crime media archives. She has presented her research papers at many national and international conferences and has received the 2022-2023 Nathanson Centre Graduate Student Fellowship from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Documentary Media, both from Toronto Metropolitan University. She also graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in Art and Culture, majored in Studio Visual Arts and minored in Art History. During her past graduate studies, she completed two Master Research Papers (MRPs) and a solo self-curated MFA thesis exhibition. Chante is also a multidisciplinary visual artist and has held several leadership positions contributing thousands of volunteer hours to various organizations and causes.

Chika Maduakolam is a Ph.D. candidate in Socio-legal Studies at York University. She holds an LLM degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She has worked as research assistant on an international research project on gendered violence in war; and domestic project on civil justice in Canada. Her main area of research is focused on sexual and gender-based violence in conflict. She is interested in the following research areas: conflict-related sexual violence, gender issues, militarized masculinities, international law and human rights. She chose the SLST program because it offers an innovative and socially engaged education. Its interdisciplinary approach, reflected through the course offerings, is key to critically understanding law as a social institution, not just a set of rules. Chika can be reached at: chika16@yorku.ca.

Clifton Grant research interests are criminology, recidivism, abolition and restorative justice. My focus is on the creation of new paradigms of restorative justice that can be interconnected with the successful assimilation back into society of non violent offenders.

Research objectives are to examine the generational cycle of criminal recidivism through empirical evidence and theoretical context and investigate the impact of the intersectional elements of culture, race and identity on the subjugation of Black criminals within and outside of the criminal justice system that manifests in high recidivism rates for members of the African Diaspora in Canadian society.

I chose SLST as it is one of the pre-eminent criminal justice masters programs in Canada that does an exemplary job of blending criminal justice theory with practical societal concepts with many of the leading scholastic researchers in the field.

Deepa Nagari is a PhD student in the socio-legal studies program at York University. Her research focuses on forced migration and bordering laws and policies, particularly examining the Canada-U.S. border and the Safe Third Country Agreement. She also examines alternative solutions, grassroots efforts, and feminist, Global South, and de-colonial perspectives on forced migration laws and policies. Deepa obtained her MA from Carleton University in the Department of Law and Legal Studies, where she also explored the STCA between 2016 and 2018 in her research. Previously, she worked in the private sector alongside IRCC before realizing her passion for academia and research.

Elizabeth Hamilton is a Master’s student in the Socio-Legal Studies program at York University. Her research examines the continued quest for truth and reconciliation within Canadian legal and educational institutions. This interrogative work critically analyzes the conflicting roles of law and knowledge production as tools of both oppression and liberation. From a settler’s positionality, the interdisciplinary approach of the SLST program facilitates her investigation of constitutional sovereignty, settler colonial violence, neoliberal nation-states, and the revitalization of legal traditions to combat Indigenous dispossession.

I am a PhD candidate of the Socio-Legal Studies Program at York University. My research experience focuses on indigenous consuetudinary law, transitional justice, and state justice administration in rural areas in peruvian Andes and Amazonia. I chose the Socio-Legal Studies PhD Program because it is focused on society and law, and it has a faculty with experience in research on indigenous peoples and community engagement.

Seasons Greetings! My name is Ezekiel George (he/him), and I am a first-year PhD student in the Socio-Legal program at York University. My academic background includes a Diploma in Police Foundations and an Honours Degree in Criminal Justice, both of which I obtained from Humber College. Additionally, I have earned a Master’s Degree in Criminology and Social Justice from Toronto Metropolitan University. My research focuses on examining racialized policies that enable the systemic surveillance and policing of marginalized communities. I intend to analyze the multifaceted legal advocacy strategies employed by activists, lawyers, and community leaders to combat these pervasive injustices. Through a rigorous exploration of these dynamics, I aspire for my work to illuminate how existing legal frameworks can both perpetuate and challenge racial inequities.

The Socio-legal PhD program at York University provides an ideal environment for my academic pursuits. Its interdisciplinary focus and commitment to inclusive, student-centred learning align with my research vision. The program also offers diverse career opportunities and is fully funded, which is crucial for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am excited to engage in this enriching environment and develop a research agenda aimed at uncovering and challenging systemic injustices.

Ezekiel’s contact: zekey35@yorku.ca.

Hijaab Yahya is a PhD student in the Socio-Legal Studies Program. Their research synthesizes insights from socio-legal, anti-colonial, anti-imperial, feminist, critical border studies and queer migration scholarship. Hijaab’s work critically unsettles colonial-capitalist narratives around belonging, nation-building, and state imaginaries. They are particularly interested in legal epidemiology, migration health, and access to gender-affirming healthcare for displaced transgender and gender diverse migrants, emphasizing community-centered approaches to health and social care.

Hijaab holds an MA in Law and Legal Studies from Carleton University, where their thesis explored intersections of forced migration, global rights regimes, and health access through the experiences of undocumented Afghan refugees in rural Pakistan. With experience in research and policy roles at JusticeTrans, UNHCR and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Hijaab is passionate about combining academic research with practical implementation. They chose the SLST program for its interdisciplinary approach, York’s leadership in refugee studies and commitment to social justice, which aligns deeply with their academic and activist goals.

Jackie Sikdar is a PhD candidate in the Socio-Legal Studies program at York University. Her current research explores the root causes and risk factors of gun violence in Toronto and interrogates why gun violence is a racialized phenomenon despite Toronto's reputation as a multicultural haven. She also examines how in the context of Toronto gun violence, racial identity and past/ongoing conflict with the law can complicate the attainment of victim status and shape victims' experiences within the criminal justice system.

Jessica Malandrino is a 6th year PhD student in socio-legal studies. Her research involves using abolition and resistance to gender violence imposed by the state. Specifically, her work is invested in using art-making methods to cope with gender violence upheld by police and the prison system in Canada. As an alternative to using the criminal legal system as a process of retributive punishment, Jessica's work depends on a transformative justice framework. Similar to queerness that is always becoming, abolitionist frameworks that Jessica's work involves how women's creation vis-a-vis feminism is an approach to address, cope with, and heal from violence and trauma upheld by the state.

Karanveer is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Socio-Legal Studies program at York University. His academic interests lie at the intersection of social justice, law, and security. He is particularly focused on exploring the connection between the discrimination individuals face, especially racial, religious, or cultural discrimination and their potential paths toward radicalization. Karanveer aims to understand how systemic inequalities and social exclusion can act as catalysts that push marginalized individuals toward extremist ideologies. By combining socio-legal theory with real-world case studies, his research seeks to uncover the root causes behind radicalization and challenge the dominant narratives that often overlook the role of societal harm. Karanveer hopes his work will contribute to more effective and compassionate policy-making, emphasizing prevention through inclusion rather than punishment. Through his research, he aspires to bridge academic inquiry and public policy to create more equitable and resilient communities.

Liam Michaud is a PhD candidate in Socio-Legal Studies at York University.

His research focuses on the criminal legal governance of health, drug policy, and law reform. He collaborates closely with community-based organizations, particularly around issues of harm reduction, policing, healthcare access, and how people who use drugs experience their legal environment.

He has been supported by the SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship, the Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security, and the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

He has published on these topics in Social & Legal Studies, International Journal of Drug Policy, Policing & Society, and Health & Justice, among others.

Liam is supervised by Dr Eric Mykhalovskiy and can be reached at Lmichaud@yorku.ca.

Website

I am a doctoral candidate in the Socio-legal department, centering my research on the intricate dynamics of free expression and academic freedom. My primary focus is the nuanced examination of these themes within the context of Canadian higher education institutions, aiming to elucidate their profound socio-political ramifications. Furthermore, my research portfolio includes active involvement in various projects pertaining to criminal justice. Particularly, critically examining the sentencing disparities experienced by racialized communities within the Canadian criminal justice system.

Nat Perez de la Cruz (she/her) is a current M.A. student at the Socio-Legal Studies program, she completed her undergraduate degree in Law & Society in which she committed herself to researching and analyzing immigration issues within a scope of (de-)colonial studies, she hopes to continue towards this commitment within a community centred scope of academia in this new year.

Natasha Khan (she/her) is a Master's student at York University’s Socio-Legal Studies graduate program. She earned her BA in York’s (Hons.) Law and Society program, where she cultivated an academic interest in the interplay between law, power, and social justice. Her research interests include racialization, Islamophobia, migration, surveillance, and the politics of performative state apologies in regulating racialized communities. Natasha chose the SLST program for its interdisciplinary focus and commitment to critically examining law within broader social, historical and political contexts. The program's emphasis on colonialism, critical theory, and legal pluralism aligns with her interest in postcolonial theory, biopolitics, and feminist-of-colour scholarship, allowing her to examine how legal liberalism and social discourses function as tools of political control. Through her MA, Natasha aims to contribute to critical socio-legal scholarship by exploring the regulation of Muslim communities through neo-racist state practices. She is passionate about challenging dominant narratives of multiculturalism and justice and aims to advance a nuanced understanding of how state power sustains racial hierarchies. Natasha aspires to use her knowledge to advocate for transformative legal and policy frameworks, emphasizing how discursive practices, when responsibly employed, can be mobilized to address systemic oppression.

Natilie Richer (she/her) is a PhD candidate in Socio-Legal Studies at York University, who is also earning a diploma in Art History and Visual Culture. Her research-creational project unpacks the potential to decolonize overlooked sites of legal discourse, including the museum, the art gallery, and the university by challenging imperialist histories of curatorial and exhibition knowledge, as well as knowledge production more generally. Detailing her collaborative endeavour with Canadian Indigenous visual artist, Melanie de la Morandiere, Henvey Inlet, First Nation and their experimental, and exploratory engagement with arts-based practices, her project illustrates the ensuing necessity of grappling with exhibitionary spaces as comparable or directly linked to the sociolegal and the academic as well as their distinct ways of knowing. Natilie’s doctoral research is supported by the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canadian Graduate Scholarship.

I am an incoming international PhD student at York University, focusing on vulnerable children and their access to justice. My research explores how legal systems and social policies affect the rights, protection, and well-being of children in marginalized communities. I chose the Socio-Legal Studies program because of its interdisciplinary approach, critical engagement with social justice, and strong emphasis on legal reform to support vulnerable populations.

My main objectives are to examine the barriers vulnerable children face within justice systems, identify gaps in policy, and advocate for child-centered legal frameworks. Through my research, I aim to contribute to scholarly discussions that inform more equitable and inclusive legal reforms. Additionally, I am committed to engaging with community organizations to ensure that academic findings translate into practical, real-world improvements for children’s access to justice.

York’s SLST program offers the ideal environment to develop my skills and knowledge, collaborate with experts, and make a meaningful impact on both academic and social fronts.

Roberta Medina (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in Socio-Legal Studies at York University and currently holds a Vanier Scholarship. Her research examines the proliferation of drone technologies (defined as land, sea, or air vehicles operated remotely or autonomously) as tools of police surveillance. Drawing on ethnographic observations at surveillance trade fairs and within police command and surveillance centers in São Paulo, Brazil, her research examines how these technologies are reshaping the future of policing.

Roberta’s research interests include surveillance, policing, and racial studies, with a strong emphasis on perspectives from the Global South.
Roberta can be reached at robmdina@yorku.ca.

Saren Saunders is a Ph.D. student in Socio-Legal Studies at York University with a background in criminology, surveillance studies, and law enforcement research. Holding a prior Ph.D. in Humanities and over a decade of experience in teaching and intelligence analysis, Saren’s work focuses on police accountability, surveillance ethics, and systemic discrimination within Canadian legal institutions.

Sophia Martensen (she/her) is a sixth-year Ph.D. student in the Socio-Legal studies program at York University. She holds an Honours Specialization in Criminology and a Major in Psychology from Western University, and obtained her Master’s in Criminology and Sociolegal studies at the University of Toronto. Her current research offers a critique of institutional spaces and examines the production of racial knowledge. Specifically, Sophia is interested in examining the possibility for transformative change within institutional spaces when demands are made to improve social justice work.

Stephanie Giorno is a PhD candidate in Socio-Legal Studies at York University. She completed her B.A. (Hons) at York University in Law & Society, and earned her M.A. in Criminology at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her research interests include intimate partner violence (IPV), criminal harassment, and the gaps in accessing victim services. The objective of her doctoral work is to gain a better understanding of the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has affected IPV, with a particular emphasis on victims from the most vulnerable sectors of our society. She aims to use her research to establish an import for policy and practice, and to generate pragmatic and actionable policy recommendations.

I am a first-year PhD student in Socio-Legal Studies. I hold a Master of Arts in Socio-Legal Studies from York University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Toronto Metropolitan University. My research focuses on how restorative justice principles are applied through Extrajudicial Measures and Extrajudicial Sanctions Programs, with particular attention to how the circumstances of racialized immigrant youth are considered. My research employs a socio-legal approach that draws on criminology, philosophy, and politics.