From discussions and research sharing on topics ranging from Wellness Courts to the high prevalence of human sex trafficking victims in Nova Scotia, participants at the annual Forensic Psychology Day @ X, held March 18 in StFX’s MacKay Room, Bloomfield Centre, had opportunity to participate in interesting, relevant, daylong discussions and to learn about the range of topics in forensic psychology.
This annual event is organized by fourth year StFX forensic psychology students and includes speakers from across the fields of criminal justice and mental health; legal professionals, forensic researchers and clinical students, many of them graduates of StFX and all good “Friends of Forensic Psychology” at StFX.
Importantly, it’s a day to bring together current and former students and the many supporters of the StFX Forensic Psychology program, to celebrate the program and to share the many exciting developments in the research and practice of clinical forensic psychology.
“The day went very well,” says coordinator and StFX psychology professor Dr. Margo Watt, who gave much credit to the students who organized the event. Students assume responsibility for all aspects of the day from hosting the invited speakers, to presenting awards, to organizing food and drink, preparing programs, running forensic-relevant activities, and fundraising.
“It’s a collective effort. The students really own it,” says Dr. Watt.
What’s neat about the day, she says, is most attendees are alumni or have some connection to the program and they are all keen to give back.
“A nice mentorship takes place,” Dr. Watt says. “It’s nice to see. It kind of takes on a life of its own. It really says something about StFX, and about the program.
“We thrive because of our alumni and all the people who are invested in the program.”
Highlights from the day included talks from two keynote speakers, both StFX alumni, Judge Laurie Halfpenny MacQuarrie, who spoke about the Wellness Court she oversees in Port Hawkesbury, NS, and the Gladue Court in Wagmatcook First Nations; and Supreme Court Justice Patrick Duncan who spoke on his journey from his hometown in Moncton, NB to StFX to becoming a Supreme Court justice.
The day featured two speakers, Ashley and Laurie, from the Naomi Society, a valued community-based partner of the forensic program, who spoke about the increased reports of interpersonal violence during COVID-19.
Other highlights included a panel of three master’s students from Saint Mary’s University, all StFX forensic psychology graduates, who spoke about their current research. These included Maria Holley McGee who spoke about her work on victim impact statements, Brandon Burgess, who gave a talk on his work studying adult onset sexual offenders, and Claire Keenan, who is researching youth lured into the sex traffic trade.
The symposium continued with another graduate, Jessie Doyle, now a PhD doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of New Brunswick, presenting her research on the use of police force and the impact on officers using force.
Her presentation was followed by current StFX psychology student Ethan Draper who presented work he’d completed with computer science student Ethan Heavey on the use of computer modelling for predicting the risk of rare violent events (e.g., spree killing). This project was a collaborative and inter-disciplinary project between Mr. Draper (psychology student under the supervision of Dr. Watt) and Mr. Heavey (computer science student under the supervision of Dr. James Hughes).
Forensic psychology students Lily Turnbull and Emma McKechnie received the Alanna Jenkins Award, a legacy award established to honour the late Ms. Jenkins, a graduate and good friend of the program who was killed in the 2020 Nova Scotia mass murders. Ms. Jenkins was instrumental in organizing the first Forensic Psychology Day @ X and remained a valued friend over the years.
Students have fundraised over $3,600 for the award, which provides students with research funding to study projects into mental health and criminal justice.
Additionally, the first Founder Award, presented to someone who has helped in the support and growth of the program, went to Dr. Kim MacLean.
Over lunch, participants had opportunity to take part in three activity sites, criminal profiling, likelihood to become a criminal, and eye-witness testimony.
The day wrapped up with the alumni panel, which included all the graduate student presenters as well as Jennifer Aftanas and Ryanne Chisholm. This is always a popular feature of Forensic Psychology Day @ X as it gives current students an opportunity to ask former students how they got from StFX to the panelists’ current place.
Dr. Watt says the event was livestreamed to the forensic psychology facebook page for those who couldn’t attend.
Dr. Watt says the student organizers also appreciate the support of Dr. Peter McCormick, Chair of the Psychology Department, and Dean of Arts and psychology professor Dr. Karen Brebner, both of whom always come to the Forensic Psychology Day @ X and say a few words in support of the program and, if possible, attend a talk or two.
