Sarah Cobb

Criminology master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I'm currently pursuing my MA within the School of Criminology at SFU where my research focuses on evaluating programs, policies, and practices in the intersection across systems, from social services, criminal justice, science, medicine, and education. I completed my BA at Western Washington University where I double majored in Sociology and Human Services and minored in Professional Writing and Rhetoric. My Sociology Thesis assessed the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education across western states in the U.S. and how when inconsistent, primarily through the lack of sexual violence prevention content, has ramifications on health outcomes in adulthood. My most recent research and work focuses on the rhetoric of rape kits, evaluating the use of discretion in sexual violence interventions, and school-based violence prevention. It is my goal to bridge interconnected systems to both improve experiences for survivors while preventing further violence.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I chose to come to SFU primarily for my supervisor, Dr. Jennifer Wong, who specializes in program and policy evaluation. Her work represented to me how possible it is to make real-world impacts through research and I am inspired to learn as much as possible from her. My goal my continuing my education after my BA was to focus on further developing my research skills and to have my education be as interdisciplinary as possible, something SFU and the School of Criminology was able to offer in spades for both fronts. An additional, non-academic win was that I would be able to remain in the Pacific Northwest.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

I look at how inequality and injustice happens through and across systems that are often designed to support people, but ultimately have unintended consequences. Since social issues don't exist in vacuums, they shouldn't be studied in one either, which requires taking a step back to see the bigger picture.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Program/Policy Evaluation and Meaning-Making

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

Through WWU's Human Services program, I interned with Whatcom County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services where I learned more about the array of barriers for survivors that are often not able to be addressed directly by social services, and, more specifically, how multi-system involvement poses as a significant barrier for survivors. In doing these services, it opened my eyes to just how many policies govern the systems that shape our lives, and we often don't realize—or more so, pay enough attention to—how relational all of the aspects of our lives are, especially the case for those who've either experienced or perpetrated violence. This field experience complimented my education in a way that has really shaped my professional goals I wouldn't have been able to picture for myself when starting my BA.

Contact Sarah Cobb:sarah_cobb@sfu.ca

Additional Links

• LinkedIn