BA, M.St, PhD
Instructor, Criminology & Sociology
School of Social Sciences
Criminology
Sociology
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
604.986.1911 ext. 3138
Fir Building, room FR 439
emmatrottier@capilanou.ca
Education
PhD, Law (Criminology), 2023, University of Sheffield
MSt, Criminology, Penology and Management, 2017, (Distinction), University of Cambridge
BA, Double Major, Political Science and International Development, 2007, Dalhousie University
Bio
Emma Trottier (PhD, University of Sheffield, 2023) is an instructor in the Department of Criminology and Sociology at Capilano University. Her research and teaching focus on punishment theory, pre-trial and pre-sentence detention, penal policy and the broader social and institutional contexts that shape criminal justice practice.
Her doctoral research, “‘You’re in no man’s land’: Exploring adult men’s experience of pre-trial and pre-sentence custody in England and Wales,” examined the lived realities of remand imprisonment through qualitative fieldwork. Prior to her PhD, she completed an MSt at the University of Cambridge and a BA in Political Science and International Development at Dalhousie University.
Trottier has two decades of combined teaching, research, public sector and NGO experience in Canada and the United Kingdom.
At Capilano University, she develops and delivers courses across the criminology and sociology curriculum and contributes to departmental and university service. Her professional background includes extensive policy experience within the criminal justice sector. She served as a Senior Policy Advisor at Public Safety Canada (2011–2016), where she provided strategic advice to Ministers and senior officials, developed Cabinet documents, collaborated on legislative initiatives and represented Canada on federal-provincial-territorial working groups (i.e., on compensation for the wrongfully convicted and restorative justice).
As the Policy and Parliamentary Manager at Engender in Scotland (2016–2018), she advanced equality legislation, contributed to parliamentary processes as an expert witness, and expanded the organization's contributions to gender-responsive criminal justice policy and practice. Earlier in her career, Trottier worked as an analyst with the Correctional Service of Canada, where she provided case management support to Canadians incarcerated abroad and conducted investigations through the federal offender grievance system.
Across her academic, policy and research roles, Trottier’s work is grounded in a commitment to evidence-based policy and practice, critical engagement with the criminal legal system, and the pursuit of more just and humane approaches to punishment and social policy.
My approach to teaching is rooted in curiosity and collaboration. I see students as active contributors to the learning process, each bringing their own insights and experiences to the classroom, and I work to create a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to participate, think critically and take intellectual risks. Guided by five core principles (i.e., fostering an inclusive space, encouraging creative engagement, valuing respectful feedback, leading with compassion, and having fun), I strive to cultivate both a passion for the subject matter and a sense of confidence and support throughout students’ academic journeys.
- Custodial punishment
- Informal modes of punishment
- Pre-trial and pre-sentence detention
- Penal theory
- Measurement of punishment
Inside a Remand Prison, ChatLive Series, Capilano University, November 2023.
Life on Remand in England and Wales, School of Law, University of Sheffield, May 2022.
Adapting to New Realities: The Benefits and Challenges of Conducting Online Interviews, 21st Annual Conference, European Society of Criminology, September 2022.
Research on Remand, Lockdown Insights, University of Sheffield, May 2021.
Scottish Parliament, Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. (2018, February). Harassment [Expert witness evidence]. Scottish Parliament.
Scottish Parliament, Equalities and Human Rights Committee. (2018, January). Prisoner voting in Scotland [Expert witness evidence]. Scottish Parliament.
Trottier, E. & Mumford, A. (2018). ‘Is this the year we end period poverty in Scotland?’, Children in Scotland Magazine, 183: 18-21.
Trottier, E. (2017). ‘From Prison to Poverty’. Scottish Justice Matters, 5(2): 16
On the Engender. (2016). Gender Matters in Social security (Series 1, Episode 4) [Audio podcast episode]. In On the Engender Podcast.
On the Engender. (2017). Our Bodies, Our Choice (Series 1, Episode 5) [Audio podcast episode]. In On the Engender Podcast.
On the Engender. (2017). Women and Poverty (Series 1, Episode 8) [Audio podcast episode]. In On the Engender Podcast.
On the Engender. (2017). Women in Scotland’s Criminal Justice System (Series 1, Episode 14) [Audio podcast episode]. In On the Engender Podcast.
Teaching Excellence Award, Capilano University, 2023
Post-Graduate Research Scholarship, 2019-2022
Public Safety Canada, Deputy Minister’s Achievement Award, 2015
Public Safety Canada, Collaboration and Partnerships Award, 2014
Public Safety Canada, Deputy Minister’s Achievement Award, 2013
Public Safety Canada, Deputy Minister’s Achievement Award, 2013
Correctional Service of Canada, Excellence Award, 2010