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Student Profile: Tyler Mierzwa
Hi, my name is Tyler! I am a first-year master’s student here at SFU’s School of Criminology. I completed my undergraduate degree with the School of Criminology in 2022 after completing the honours program. I am currently studying environmental criminology, crime at place, and crime prevention under Dr. Shannon Linning. Environmental criminology is the study of the spatial and temporal dimensions of crime and why it occurs in certain places but not others.
What is your research about?
My research seeks to further our understanding of crime radiation. Crime radiation is a phenomenon where crime transmits outwardly from within places to surrounding areas. I will be using bars as my location of interest because bars are hubs for both violent and non-violent crime and are likely locations for where crime radiation may potentially be occurring.
What motivated you to pursue that specific research?
I have always been interested in criminal incident data; I feel it can tell a story if presented properly. I’m motivated to learn how to interpret crime data, conceptualize a ‘story,’ and to communicate this story to those who can prevent future incidents. Crime at bars is a longstanding issue and felt like an ideal starting point to learn this skill. I feel well-equipped to conduct my research and ‘tell a story’ from the data given the theory and methods courses I have taken as a grad students so far.
What’s been the biggest challenge (s) you have faced during the program and how did you overcome it (them)?
The biggest challenge I have faced (and continue to face!) is time management. Grad school is busy. As a born procrastinator, I can be easily overwhelmed by coursework and grading deadlines. However, my supervisor and my peers hold me accountable and keep me motivated. It is important to have a network of people you can study with or grab coffee when deadlines approach!
Why did you choose to come to SFU’s School of Criminology?
I chose SFU because of the diverse research our faculty does. Coming into the program, I had a general idea of what I wanted to study but it was not set in stone. We have some of the most accomplished criminologists in the world sitting right in Saywell Hall and I knew no matter which avenue of research I decided to pursue, I would be well supported in my studies.
"We have some of the most accomplished criminologists in the world sitting right in Saywell Hall and I knew no matter which avenue of research I decided to pursue, I would be well supported in my studies."
What are you particularly enjoying about your studies and research at SFU’s School of Criminology?
I enjoy the opportunities available to me as a graduate student. Every couple of weeks there is a ‘brown bag’ event put on by the department where you can learn a variety of hard or soft skills. For example, there are brown bags on publishing in journals, writing workshops, and presenting at conferences. The department also does a great job in hosting social events where grad students and faculty can mix and mingle.
Describe your program for those searching
Our program has everything you hope for as a graduate student. The cohort is full of like-minded individuals who work hard and support one another. The faculty are very welcoming and have an ‘open-door’ policy for new or prospective students. A bonus is that the campus sits atop Burnaby Mountain where the sunsets are indescribable!
What are your plans after finishing your program?
I would love to continue my studies in a PhD program in the United States. My research is very much a part of me now and I would be content dedicating my life to the field of environmental criminology. While I have not fully committed to a plan post-grad, I feel there are several programs or mentors that would suit my research interests. I also feel I can apply myself well as a crime analyst with a law enforcement agency. Short answer, I don’t know what my plans are yet!
Do you have any advice for prospective students?
Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Yes, take ownership over your schoolwork and do your best to network with faculty members, graduate students, employers, etc. But take a deep breath and realize things will pan out. I didn’t find my passion in environmental criminology until my third year of my undergraduate studies and now I can’t imagine myself studying anything else. Trust the process!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
- E-mail: tmierzwa@sfu.ca
- Twitter: @tsmierzwa
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmierzwa/