Teaching (Winter 2015)
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology 
SOC 224 Conformity and Deviance
SOC 327 Criminal Justice Administration in Canada
What path led you to studying Sociology?
I actually ended up in Sociology as a means of pursuing an entirely different career. It was the path of least resistance. I began university as a science student with the intentions of becoming a clinical psychologist but the psych program was much more neuroscience based than clinical and by the beginning of my final year I had decided that medicine was what I was really interested in. The problem was that I hadn't yet taken all the courses I needed to apply to medical school so after finishing my BSc I went back to do a BA to allow me to take those required courses I was missing. The only major that I found even remotely appealing was Sociology. To be perfectly honest, at first I hated it! It represented an entirely new way of thinking and one that I struggled to adjust to but gradually (very gradually) I came to appreciate all that Sociology has to offer, so much so that I decided to postpone medical school to do a PhD. Part of my PhD program required me to teach a course as a "teaching apprenticeship" and I loved it. Between that and the research, it seemed that I had discovered the ideal career.
What about teaching do you find most satisfying?
Being a part of that process of discovery as students learn to see the world in new ways. That and the fact that students really keep me on my toes. They're always asking really interesting and challenging questions so they help me to see the world in new ways too.
What do you like to do for fun?
For many years, my life revolved around skydiving which is how I met my husband. It really consumes you (and helps to explain why it took me seven years to finish my PhD!). My love of skydiving is rather ironic given that I'm actually terrified of heights. I won't climb a 5 foot ladder but I'll jump out of a plane at 15 000 feet. It's a great way to relax and unwind since the second you leave the plane everything else just fades away and you're completely in the moment. I still love skydiving but nowadays we spend a lot of time travelling. We try to get away three or four times a year. As soon as we've returned from one trip, we start planning the next one.
What is your favorite type of music?
I'm a fan of classic rock - Def Leppard, Queen, Aerosmith, The Doors, AC/DC.
What is your favorite food?
In my view, pizza is the perfect food.
What is the last movie that you saw?
"The Imitation Game." Fantastic film.
If you weren't a professor, what would you do for a living?
If I couldn't be independently wealthy, I guess my next choice would be Emergency Medicine. I like the idea of never really knowing what's going to be coming through the door or exactly what you're going to be doing that day. I also like the idea of problem-solving, trying to make sense of a bunch of random information, not unlike doing Sociology.
What type of student were you in high school?
A complete slacker! I had mastered the ability to do as little as possible while making it seem as though I was completely engaged. In actuality, I was bored beyond belief and couldn't wait for high school to end.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
To fly, of course! Just think of the possibilities.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring 5 things, what 5 things would you bring?
A fully stocked luxury yacht (120 ft ought to do it), an iced cappuccino maker (with all necessary ingredients), sunglasses, and peanut butter M & M's. My husband told me I should include him on the list too.