WELCOME TO THE
VR CRIME LAB

 Brook is in her second year of studies pursuing a Master of Arts in Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus. Brook previously completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a specialization in Forensics and a minor in Human Rights and Human Diversity at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research interests include police training, police use of force, police de-escalation and relational policing, and the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies in criminological research. She is currently completing her Master’s Thesis which seeks to evaluate whether the type of policing approach presented (e.g., de-escalation/relational or standard authoritative) given variations in the presence of safety risks shaped participants’ perceptions of police satisfaction, legitimacy, procedural justice, and safety. Participation in this research lab provides her with experience in testing VR technologies and creating VR simulations that were incorporated into her experimental thesis research. In her free time you can typically find her binging reality tv.

Aidan is in his first year of studies pursuing a Master of Arts in Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus. Aidan previously completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Social Psychology at McMaster University. His research interests include police cognition, intergroup dynamics, and responses to oversight. He is currently completing coursework in preparation for his Masters’ Thesis which will seek to evaluate police perceptions of current oversight and mental health intervention initiatives. Participation in this research lab provides him with the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with experts in police de-escalation technologies. In his free time, you can find him reading science fiction novels.

Bailie is currently in her fourth year of a double Bachelor's of Arts in Criminology and Psychology with a Forensic Concentration at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is currently working on her thesis project looking into how gender expression of women and a diagnosis of psychopathy alter public perceptions in redeemability, culpability, and sentencing within the criminal justice system. With this research she hopes to expand onto the chivalry theory of criminology and in the future research psychopathy more closely in female offenders. She is also involved in Dr. Danielle Law’s C.A.R.E lab (Child and Adolescent, Research and Education) where she is also an undergraduate researcher. She plans on going for her master's in psychology and learning more about the differences of offenders in numerous circumstances. Currently, she looks forward to completing her BAs and working with Dr. Jennifer Lavoie over the next year and in her free time she is apart of different clubs on campus and gaming to relax.

Natalia is in her fourth year as an undergraduate research assistant in the Virtual Reality (VR) Crime Lab. She is currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a specialization in Forensics and a minor in Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research interests include stress and psycho-physiological responses, stress management, eyewitness testimony, psychological impacts of crime, victims of crime, and the use of VR technologies in psychological research. Natalia is currently working on her undergraduate thesis under the supervision of Dr. Lavoie and will be examining psychological coping strategies in relation to stress responses during acute stress events utilizing VR simulations. Presently, she looks forward to applying to master’s programs in Clinical and Counselling Psychology. In the future, Natalia plans to pursue a career as a Clinical Psychologist and potentially specialize in working with adolescents and young adults. In her free time outside of the lab, you can find Natalia in the gym weightlifting.

Nick is an undergraduate research assistant in his 2nd Year of the Forensic Psychology program, with a prior certificate for Music Industry Arts completed at Algonquin College. 

Nick’s research interests center upon quantitative experimental studies in the field of Forensic Psychology to find preventions for crimes, particularly lower risk sexual offenders. He is particularly interested in the application of philosophy into this research to find some help outside of the box. His career goal is to have a paper cited in someone's work or a textbook, whether it’s positive or negative, as either one will further contribute to research and learning. While he is fairly new to conducting research, he is excited to be a part of the lab, as it was his goal to be a part of a research team upon entering university. He cannot express his gratitude, and excitement, enough, as it is an absolute honour to even be considered. His hobbies include photography, writing, gardening, random drives/adventures, and movies that make him feel gutted after watching them.  

Lindsay is in her fourth year as an undergraduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Forensic Specialization and Youth and Children's Studies. She is also minoring in Criminology. She is currently completing a directed studies research project focused on media representations of young offenders in Canada. Her research interests include juvenile delinquency, media representations of law enforcement, police interactions with young offenders, and violence in juvenile detention centers. In the future, she plans on working as a social worker with justice involved youth. Participation in this research lab provides her with the opportunity to learn from professionals and put her academic skills to use. In her free time she can be found with a book in her hand and a cat curled up beside her.

Selin is a second-year undergraduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Psychology. She is a 2023 recipient of the Laurier Scholars Award. She is currently completing a research apprenticeship under the supervision of Dr. Stacey Hannem, where she is researching the effects of mandatory minimum sentences on the implementation and efficacy of Gladue principles in Canada. She is interested in how intergenerational trauma, mental illness and adverse childhood experiences are perceived in the criminal justice system. Selin is passionate about psychology and law as well as the intersection between them and is excited to be joining the VR lab to help research these topics while learning more about them. Selin plans on going to law school after her undergrad and aspires to be a criminal defense lawyer. In her free time, Selin enjoys teaching figure skating, learning new languages and weightlifting.