A Lethbridge College instructor has been invited to be part of the faculty for one of the world’s leading post-graduate criminal justice courses. Aaron Eyjolfson, an instructor in the School of Justice Studies, will present at the 34th annual Postgraduate Course of Victimology, Victim Assistance and Criminal Justice in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Eyjolfson has also arranged for five students from the college’s Justice Studies – Bachelor of Applied Arts degree program to attend the course. The program is a result of a partnership between the Inter-University Centre and the World Society of Victimology. It brings together approximately 50 internationally renowned experts offering insight into the plight of victims around the world.
“About 80 international students from across the globe are attending the course,” says Eyjolfson. “So, the perspectives that they get from their peers in India, or their peers in Indonesia or South Africa, really give them a global view, a broad, robust view on victimization, on criminal justice systems. It’s really about sharing of knowledge, sharing of information, and making everybody better along the way.”
Eyjolfson attended and completed the course last year as part of his own professional development. During a presentation by an English instructor about a victim services cell phone app, Eyjolfson asked whether the use of augmented and virtual reality had been considered. Hearing that it hadn’t, the former parole officer decided to make that the focus of a 10-minute presentation he was required to give as a student. That led to his invitation to return as a faculty member this year to expand on the topic.
“I knew some of the work that was being done by my colleagues here at Lethbridge College in the area of AR and VR,” says Eyjolfson. “I decided that I would do my presentation on the potential applications of virtual reality to help victims navigate the criminal justice system.”
The five students – Jordayne Andrew, Angelica Lai, Desiree Trost, Megan Turner-Christianson and Jay Wingrove – are all completing the four-year Justice Studies – Bachelor of Applied Arts program at the college.
“This is so unique,” says Dr. Samantha Lenci, Lethbridge College Provost and Vice President Academic. “It truly captures how passionate our instructors are to work, think and design out-of-the-box, immersive curriculum opportunities for students.”
The students were chosen to take part in this opportunity as part of a competitive, internal process. This course has been worked into their studies and they are already beginning preparations on their final presentations.
“We’ve got presentations on human trafficking, child exploitation, restorative justice, potential psychological trauma for undercover officers,” says Eyjolfson. “The types of victimization that they’re looking at, and what they’ll learn, they’ll be able to bring back to the college, back to their own studies. And I think it is going to be really life-changing for them to see this part of the world.”
Some of the students have never travelled outside of Canada, so the opportunity to spend more than two weeks in Croatia and meet peers from around the world is a completely new experience.
“I am beyond excited to learn and expand my knowledge about world views, perspectives and predominant issues pertaining to victimology, victim assistance and criminal justice,” says student Jordayne Andrew. “Canada is such a diverse country but only a small spot on the map in the world of victimology. I am grateful to be given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The course runs from May 7 to 19 and includes cultural and sightseeing trips in addition to the formal learning opportunities.
“This, to me, is a validation of my hard work and determination over the last four years, and I feel honoured to be chosen for this experience,” says student Jay Wingrove. “I look forward to meeting and networking with new people from around the world, and learning from their experiences.”
Lethbridge College provides a variety of international opportunities for students to expand their learning. Dr. Ron Solinkski and a group of students recently spent five weeks in Peru as part of a Child and Youth Care practicum. John Russell and a group of Business Administration students are currently taking part in that program’s annual International Study Tour in Europe.
All three student trips were supported in part by funding from the Government of Alberta through a Campus Alberta Grant for International Learning.
More student testimonials:
“I am incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to attend the 2018 International Postgraduate Course on Victimology, Victim Assistance and Criminal Justice. I am looking forward to the immense amount of learning and cultural exposure while in Dubrovnik.” – Megan Turner-Christianson
“I’m very excited about this amazing opportunity that I have been given! I have never internationally travelled before, so this is going to be such a great experience. I cannot wait to hear the presentations and have a different atmosphere to learn in. I am excited to make memories as it will be a trip to remember for sure!” – Desiree Trost