Our Research
We work directly with policing, corrections, court, and community-based partners to identify knowledge, skill, and research gaps in the Canadian public safety industry and create potential solutions. We are committed to facilitating meaningful projects and initiatives to assist industry partners, the community, and the Canadian justice system overall.
The Centre for Public Safety Applied Research (CPSAR) aims to inform evidence-based practice and policies in the Canadian field of justice, while also providing Lethbridge Polytechnic diploma and degree students with numerous opportunities to hone their research abilities. Our goals reflect the mandate, mission, and vision of Public Safety Canada to keep Canadians safe and contribute to strong and resilient communities.
CPSAR is supported by a strong academic curriculum and programming that is always evolving to meet industry standards. CPSAR was built on Lethbridge Polytechnic’s rich history of educating and training criminal justice professionals since 1969.
CPSAR will work with its industry partners to:
- Conduct partnership-based applied research projects that solve real-world public safety problems
- Facilitate collaboration and knowledge dissemination between stakeholders, partners, and research teams
- Access research expertise, grants, and other funding sources to support research
- Provide experiential learning opportunities to Lethbridge Polytechnic students and grads
Researchers work closely with students and grads from the Justice and Human Services Programs.
Newsletter and News Stories
See news stories about CPSAR and read our newsletter, known as Applied Research Bulletin for Public Safety, which contains updates on current CPSAR projects, research highlights and opportunities to connect with our Centre.
View the bulletin
Chinook Sexual Assault Centre – Justice Navigator Guide
Lethbridge Herald (September 9, 2025)
Education News Canada (September 25, 2025)
CTV Calgary (September 24, 2025)
Bridge City News (September 25, 2025)
https://bridgecitynews.ca/polytechnic-to-develop-vr-experiences-in-public-safety-careers/
Education News Canada (August 29, 2025)
Students spend summer gaining research experience at Lethbridge Polytechnic
CTV Calgary (August 28, 2025)
‘Really nice to have the space’: Gaining valuable research experience at Lethbridge Polytechnic
CTV Lethbridge (June 16, 2025)
Micro Research Canada workshop (Starts at 8:15 timestamp)
Global Lethbridge (June 16, 2025)
Micro Research Canada training (Starts at 7:20 timestamp)
Global Lethbridge (February 13, 2025)
Criminal Justice students research experience
CTV Lethbridge (February 14, 2025)
Lethbridge Polytechnic students study how different generations perceive police officers
Education News Canada (February 14, 2025)
Criminal Justice degree students benefit from research experience
Bridge City News (February 13, 2025)
Criminal Justice students take part in projects involving real-life problems
Lethbridge News Now (February 13, 2025)
Criminal Justice degree students benefit from research experience
June 30, 2024:
CARIE Annual Report 2023/2024 (p. 10 & 26)
June 14, 2024:
Lethbridge College receives more than $200,000 in federal research grants | BE READY
March 28, 2024:
Lethbridge College to see how AI and virtual reality could help police recruitment - Lethbridge | Globalnews.ca
March 23, 2024:
Virtual reality may help screen prospective police officers (lethbridgeherald.com)
December 23, 2023:
College leveraging tech tools in research projects (external link: Lethbridge Herald)
December 21, 2023:
College research project to support marginalized populations (external link: Lethbridge Herald)
December 18, 2023:
Community integration through art: College receives $360,000 grant for research project
December 7, 2023:
Lethbridge College continues to climb in Canadian college research rankings
June 10, 2023:
CARIE Annual Report 2022/2023 (p. 8)
October 18, 2022:
Lethbridge College receives $1 million for public safety research
July 11, 2022:
New research chair expands public safety research at Lethbridge College
Meet Our People
Dr. Kirsten Fantazir
President’s Applied Research Chair, CPSAR
Dr. Kirsten Fantazir graduated from the General Studies program at Lethbridge College in 1999 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Education in Distance Education, and a PhD in Psychology, focused on studying game-based learning technologies through gamification.
She joined Lethbridge Polytechnic in 2003, has been a faculty member in the School of Justice Studies since 2010 and was formerly the SJS Distance Learning Program Chair. Currently, she is the President’s Applied Research Chair for Public Safety and helps to support applied research teams in the Centre for Public Safety Applied Research.
She is also a researcher, with current projects focused on authentically assessing police candidates using virtual reality, understanding and improving police-citizen interactions through systemic observation of body-worn camera footage, and reintegrating priority populations through integrating Indigenous Ways of Knowing and cultural practices in social-recreational programming.
Email: kirsten.fantazir@lethpolytech.ca
Faith Wanjiku
Applied Research Operations Officer CPSAR, Centre for Applied Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CARIE)
Faith holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the United States International University - Africa, and a Postgraduate Certificate in International Business Management from Sheridan College. Her interests extend to continuing her learning journey, particularly in exploring the integration between research and technology.
Beyond her academic achievements, she is driven by a genuine passion for engaging with people from various backgrounds and a desire to contribute to the well-being of diverse communities. Actively volunteering her time and expertise, she supports initiatives that promote inclusivity and social development.
Email: faith.wanjiku@lethpolytech.ca