PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Michelle Stewart is an Associate Professor in Gender, Religion and Critical Studies, Associated Faculty in the Department of Justice Studies and Director of the Community Research Unit at the University of Regina on Treaty Four Territory. As an applied anthropologist, Michelle’s research focuses on community-engaged projects and partnerships focused on cognitive disabilities, mental health and racialized health inequalities.

Michelle’s research addresses these social justice issues through policy engagement and working directly with families, individuals and agencies to impact programs and practices to better support individuals and families with complex disabilities like FASD. Her research has been supported by The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, Canadian Council for the Arts, the University of Regina, various provincial ministries, as well as the Canada FASD Research Network. From 2014-2019, Michelle held an appointment as the Strategic Research Lead for Justice Interventions with Canada FASD Research Network.

RESEARCH MANAGER: Krystal Glowatski has worked in many capacities on the project since 2012 including: research assistant, research associate and manager. In her current role, Krystal is responsible for managing each of the core projects associated Dr. Stewart’s research with a focus on policy-applications of research in each of the projects.

Krystal is currently a PhD student in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University where her work focuses on restorative justice with attention to the role of relational victims (what it means to be related to someone that has offended) and the role of restorative justice therein. Krystal has had work featured in the journal Restorative Justice and spoken at national conferences about her work. She plays a central role in developing policy recommendations associated to the project including a forthcoming policy brief on victimhood and Framework for Action for TRC Calls to Action (#34).

RESEARCH COORDINATOR: Mia Bell has worked on the project since 2016 in many different capacities including event preparation and project development. In 2017, Mia became the Research Coordinator focused specifically on the improv & FASD project as it moved from a pilot project to a three-country outreach and knowledge mobilization project.  Mia brings her background in arts to help shape this project. Mia is currently completing her degree in Psychology, minoring in Visual Arts at the University of Regina. Upon completing her degree, Mia plans to study Art Therapy.

Mia is passionate about mental health and how it intersects with other social and environmental issues. She feels strongly about advocating for those struggling with their mental health and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Research Team Members

Over the course of the past six years the project has been fortunate to work with dozens of different students and community members. The following includes some, but not all, of those students. Thanks to everyone that has contributed to the project over the years!

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (Advocacy and Reconciliation): Robyn Pitawanakwat worked on the project from 2017-2019 in different capacities including assisting with running improvisation workshops and the development of new advocacy and education tools. In these roles, Robyn took a leadership role in expanding the strengths-based work on the team which included the development and release of the Family Toolkit.

Robyn is an Anishnaabe person and a member of Whitefish River First Nation. She is a community advocate in the areas of social justice and racism; she has early childhood education background and has been directly involved in advocating and working with individuals that have FASD. She brings her vast background to the project to not only assist in the areas of advocacy but also to partner up on mapping out new approaches to understanding FASD within a framework of reconciliation and decolonization. As part of this work, she is co-editing a book with Michelle focused on the broader contexts of FASD and Reconciliation. Robyn is also taking a central role in developing a Framework for Action focused on the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions’ Call to Action #34.

Alexandra Johnson worked on the project from 2015-2017 as a research assistant and project coordinator. She was involved in a number of research and knowledge translation initiatives. Alexandra is now completing her MA at the University of Guelph.  Her research interests include FASD, cognitive disabilities, mental health, youth in transition, social support systems, and criminal justice.

Students that helped host 2017 National Symposium: FASD, Justice & Reconciliation

Kristina Kaminski is an undergraduate student in the International Studies program majoring in International Affairs at the University of Regina. Her research interests include colonialism, transitional justice, genocide, and sexual violence against women during conflict. (2017-current)

Fartun Mohamud  is currently an undergraduate student in Political Science at the University of Regina.  Her research interest include new comer experience to Canada and the legacy of colonialism in Canada and in Africa. (2017-2017)

Research Team Members 2012-2018

Jeffrey Vollman is currently an undergraduate in Justice Studies with a minor in Political Science at the University of Regina. Jeff has assisted with the improvisation project. His research interest include FASD, restorative justice, political structuring and the criminal justice system. (2017)

Kelsey Morrison completed her undergraduate in Justice Studies with a concentration in human rights and social justice at the University of Regina. Her research interests include environmental justice, social justice, restorative justice and colonialism. (2017)

Ali McCudden is a research assistant working on the FASD Research Project. She is an undergraduate in Women and Gender Studies with Human Justice and Sociology minors at the University of Regina. Her areas of study include FASD, the criminal justice system, and sex work activism and advocacy. (2015-2016)

Brittany Mario is working on a PhD at the University of Ottawa after completing her MA in the Department of Justice Studies in 2016. Her Master’s research examined the Regina Mental Health Disposition Court, a therapeutic court specifically for mentally ill individuals in the justice system. Her research interests include mental health in the criminal justice system, restorative justice, and prison policy and reform.   (2015-2016)

Shauna Makie completed her BA in Human Justice and Psychology. Her research interests include Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and networks of understanding, mental health and corrections, and restorative justice practices. (2012-2013)

Matthew Lensen completed his Human Justice undergraduate degree at the University of Regina. Matthew’s research interests include human trafficking, sex-selective abortion, women in politics, physical anthropology and CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). (2013-2013)

Kallie Garcia completed her Interdisciplinary Program working in the area of Fine Arts at the University of Regina. Her research and art practice is focused on the combination of restorative justice and art as an alternative medium of communication. Her interests are based in art and social justice and are framed by the art based methodologies in working with those in conflict with the law. (2013-2013)

Dr. Stewart would like to thank these and other students all of whom have assisted with this research over the past years. If you would like to get information about joining the research team please contact Dr. Michelle Stewart.