Gary Barron

I am a generalist sociologist who is interested in the politics and organization of knowledge, science and technology, health and illness, mental health and illness, the intersections of these with law, organizations, performance and strategy. I completed my bachelors and masters degrees at the University of Calgary and my doctorate at the University of Alberta. My doctoral research examined organizational surveillance, performance and strategy through university ranking systems and related practices.

I joined Lethbridge Polytechnic in 2020, teaching in the criminal justice and policing diploma program and the justice studies degree program. In 2024 I moved to a new position in the Centre for Business Arts and Sciences and I primarily teach introduction to sociology and sociology of surveillance. In the past I have taught ethics and critical thought; diverse populations in public safety; contemporary youth justice; introduction to social stratification and inequality; crime, deviance and social control; and a course on mental illness and addictions.

I previously worked in a number of research and strategy roles including as an independent consultant, at the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, for the City of Calgary and Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health. I was also a support worker for people living with dual diagnoses of mental illness and intellectual disabilities for a number of years.

I have experience with numerous social research methods and have used them to answer complex questions for organizations as well as to satisfy my own academic curiosity. Applied projects I have completed include evaluation of a large collaborative research grant program, the City of Calgary low income transit pass and creation of the City of Calgary’s equity, diversity and inclusion strategy; and its Indigenous Relations Office.