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2026 Sterling Prize Ceremony and Conversation with Dr. Rylan Simpson

Make a Difference for B.C., Innovations in Research, 2026, Cities

SFU criminologist Rylan Simpson receives SFU’s Sterling Prize for his research on policing policy and practice

From the front seat of a cruiser, Simon Fraser University professor Rylan Simpson has spent thousands of hours researching the inner workings of police.

In recognition of his groundbreaking and collaborative research driving meaningful change in policing policy and practice, the criminologist has been awarded the 2026 Nora and Ted Sterling Prize in Support of Controversy. The Sterling Prize honours and encourages work that provokes or contributes to our understanding of controversy.  

Simpson’s work provokes controversy inside and outside of policing because of his applied focus and desire to work directly with police agencies as part of his research. Law enforcement can be a lightning rod for controversy, especially among those calling to defund the police. Additionally, police agencies can be resistant to having an academic inform policy direction.

“I got into this field because I wanted to make a difference,” says Simpson, an associate professor in SFU’s School of Criminology. “I wanted to try and impact policing and make it more effective, more efficient, more beneficial.”

Police are the most visible representatives of the state and are deeply embedded in our society, Simpson says. Police exist in all corners of our country from the smallest town to the largest city.

“Policing is at the epicentre of so much of our daily lives,” Simpson says. “I think that’s why my work is so relevant. I’m taking real-world problems and I’m trying to study them in ways that produce solutions so that we can continue to improve the institution as we move forward.”

As an example of his work, Simpson points to the Barrie Police Service in Ontario, which recently adopted a more visible Battenburg-style checkered livery for their police vehicles after his research showed the public preferred visible and identifiable vehicle designs. His current research project explores how providing officers real-time access to 911 calls can affect their response to calls for service.

Simpson, who grew up wanting to become a police officer, says he’s always been attracted to the dynamic nature of policing. As part of his research, he’s conducted hundreds of ride-alongs, accompanying police officers in the field and “trying to understand what the police do, why they do it, and how it impacts different outcomes.”

"Policing is a very exciting topic, a very dynamic topic, a very challenging topic, and also a very rewarding topic,” Simpson says.

Read more about Dr. Simpson and this year's Sterling Prize in the SFU News story!

Video

About the Sterling Prize

The Nora and Ted Sterling Prize in Support of Controversy was first awarded in 1993 and remains committed to recognizing work that provokes and contributes to the understanding of controversy, while presenting new ways of looking at the world and challenging complacency. The prize recognizes work across disciplines and departments and is awarded annually by the Sterling Prize committee.

Wed, 25 Nov 2026

Doors: 6:00 pm
Event: 6:30-8:00 pm

Location:
SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
580 W Hastings St
Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3

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Speakers

Dr. Rylan Simpson

Associate Professor, School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University

Dr. Rylan Simpson is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University. As a court-recognized expert in policing, Dr. Simpson conducts research related to public perceptions of police, police organizations, and police effectiveness. He approaches his research using a variety of different methodologies, including experimental and quantitative analyses. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his policing scholarship and engagement with policing officials, including from the Academy of Experimental Criminology, the American Society of Criminology’s Division of Policing, and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology’s Policing Thematic Group.

He is also the recipient of numerous awards for his teaching and mentorship, including SFU’s Early Career Award for Excellence in Teaching and SFU FASS’ Cormack Teaching Award. Finally, he is the Chair of the American Society of Criminology’s Division of Experimental Criminology, a Fellow of the Academy of Experimental Criminology, a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Research Advisory Committee, a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police’s Research Advisory Committee, and a former mentor for the Canadian Society of Evidence-Based Policing’s Virtual Scholar Program. Motivated by frontline experiences, Dr. Simpson has participated in more than 2,200 hours of ride-alongs with police agencies from around the world, including in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, and has more than 14 years of service as a police dispatcher.

Nick Bell

Deputy Chief Constable, West Vancouver Police Department

Deputy Chief Nick Bell joined the West Vancouver Police Department in 2004. Over the course of his career, he has worked in Patrol, Surveillance, the Police Academy, Community Service Team, and Corporate Support Services. He was promoted to Inspector on May 24, 2022.

Inspector Bell holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology from the University of Victoria, a Master of Arts in Emergency Management from Royal Roads University, and a Master of Laws in International Justice from the University of London. Currently, Inspector Bell is pursuing a PhD in Criminology from the University of Huddersfield.

He lives in West Vancouver with his wife, two sons and their French bulldog, Rudy.

Chief Rich Johnston

Chief of Police, Barrie Police Service

Chief Rich Johnston brings nearly three decades of dedicated service to policing, having held a wide range of roles within the Barrie Police Service, from front-line operations to senior executive leadership. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to innovation, organizational excellence, and advancing evidence-based approaches to public safety.

Chief Johnston holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy from Queen’s University, a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from the University of Guelph, and a Master of Studies in Applied Criminology and Police Management from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

A nationally recognized advocate for Evidence-Based Policing, Chief Johnston serves as a Board Member of the Canadian Society of Evidence-Based Policing (CAN-SEBP), a Board Member of the Coalition for Canadian Police Excellence (CCPE), and Co-Chair of the Research Advisory Committee for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP). He is also a National Institute of Justice L.E.A.D.S. Scholar (Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science), recognized for his commitment to integrating research and innovation into policing practice.

In 2022, Chief Johnston was inducted into the George Mason University Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame, recognizing his leadership and significant contributions to the advancement of evidence-based policing in Canada and internationally. Through his leadership, he continues to champion collaborative partnerships, organizational innovation, and research-informed strategies that strengthen policing and enhance community safety.

Accessibility

In-Person Accessibility

This event will take place in the Asia Pacific Hall at the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, located at 580 W. Hastings Street (enter via Seymour Street courtyard entrance). 

Bike stalls are available outside the Hastings entrance of SFU Harbour Centre (located across the street). Nearby parking is available at 500 & 400 W. Cordova Street.

Washrooms are located on the lower level, second, third, and fourth floors. The venue has a gender-neutral washroom, available on the second floor (use the hallway to the right). 

The venue is wheelchair and walker accessible, with elevators and fully accessible washrooms. The chairs within Asia Pacific Hall have armrests with the seat measuring 50cm (w) x 48cm (d).

Online Accessibility

Technology requirements

Online attendees will need a computer (laptop or desktop), tablet or smartphone, with speakers or headphones.

We recommend that you use a computer for the best experience of this event. Some interactivity and accessibility features are not available when using a smartphone or tablet.

Protecting your privacy

To ensure that we are using online event technology in a privacy-conscious way, we follow best practices for this online event series:

  • We will only circulate the event link to those who are registered for the event

  • We will password-protect the event

  • We will enable end-to-end encryption

  • We will not use attention tracking

To protect your own privacy:

  • We remind you that whatever you say during the event is public, so please do not share sensitive information about yourself or others, and do not say anything you do not wish to enter the public domain.

To protect the privacy of others:

  • Please do not record or photograph yourself, other participants, or the hosts during the event, unless permission is requested and given.

Previous Sterling Prize Lectures

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