Tracy Vaillancourt (English only)
Full Professor, Faculty of Education and Canada Research Chair in Youth Mental Health and Violence Prevention.
Professor Vaillancourt's research examines the links between bullying and mental health, with a particular focus on social neuroscience, including the long-term neurobiological effects of bullying. Her work focuses on school bullying and violence, depression, the gendered dynamics of aggression and social competition.
"This is a horrific and deeply distressing event. School shootings remain rare in Canada, in part because firearm access is relatively restricted. Still, these tragedies are rarely caused by a single factor. They typically reflect a convergence of personal vulnerabilities such as male gender, early aggressive behavior, poor emotion regulation, social isolation, and fixation on violence, alongside environmental risks, including exposure to violence and access to firearms. While we can never predict with certainty who will act, we do know that limiting access to lethal means is one of the most effective prevention strategies."
Irvin Waller (English, French and Spanish)
Emeritus Professor, Criminology, Faculty of Social Sciences
Professor Waller's research focuses on the prevention of violent crime, the experiences and rights of crime victims, and the roles of police in crime reduction.
"It is important to stress that these events are rare in Canada. The Nova Scotia mass casualty generated a commission that made recommendations on support for victims, emergency responders and the community. The U.S. has analyzed the trends in school shootings, which show rates but not any clear way to prevent them."
Michael Kempa (English and French)
Associate Professor, School of Criminology, Faculty of Social Sciences
Professor Kempa's research and expertise focus on community policing and community safety.