Leo Tien

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 have completed bachelor’s degrees in applied sciences and in criminology due to the range of career opportunities that applied sciences provided, and my longstanding interest in law enforcement. I chose to pursue a Master’ degree in criminology because of my experiences in working with various law enforcement agencies during the latter half of my undergraduate studies, as well as my ambition to build a career in academia. Criminology is such an expansive field and has resulted in several positive changes being made to criminal justice systems all over the world. Witnessing the continuous growth of this field had piqued my interest and inspired my decision to contribute to its further expansion. Therefore, by continuing to learn in this field, I aim to engage in the enhancement and innovation of contemporary criminal justice policies.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I chose to go to SFU’s School of Criminology because of its renowned faculty and groundbreaking research initiatives. The school’s focus on collaborative and interdisciplinary research offers an exciting opportunity to engage and work with scholars from various disciplines. Additionally, the faculty members are esteemed, world-leading scholars in the field, known for their innovative contributions to criminological theory and practice. I wanted to work and learn under their guidance, as their collective research demonstrates a dedication to theoretical advancement and addressing pressing criminal justice concerns.

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

My research involves understanding the social factors that influence the reliability of risk assessment tools within Canada’s justice system, which ultimately impact decisions concerning individuals in conflict with the law. It integrates sociological analyses of evolving social structures with psychological investigations into individual-level risk factors for criminal behaviour. Exploring the diverse connections between aging and criminal behaviour across different birth cohorts or generations is vital, as it informs the adaptation of justice system practices to specific socio-historical contexts. Given the potential impact of macro-level shifts in social institutions on crime, it is important to assess whether contemporary risk assessment tools remain relevant. By addressing this issue, my aim is to contribute to enhancing the accuracy and efficacy of criminal justice risk assessment tools.

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

Young Offenders; Offender Risk Assessment; Birth Cohort Effects

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

Academically, my courses have demonstrated the critical role of theory in social science research, highlighting its significance in providing frameworks for collecting, interpreting, understanding, and explaining research data. I came to appreciate theories as being essential tools for guiding the development of interventions and policies aimed at addressing social problems and fostering positive social change. Professionally, my TAships and experiences working with various criminal justice agencies have deepened my understanding of criminal justice issues and also enriched my academic learning. These experiences have provided invaluable real-world contexts that enhance my comprehension of the theoretical concepts taught in my courses, allowing me to apply them more effectively in practice.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

SSHRC CGSM Award.

Contact Leo:lctien@sfu.ca