Dr. Dow’s work emphasizes action-oriented research, community collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making. She completed her BA and MA in Sociology at the University of Western Ontario and her PhD in Educational Studies at the University of British Columbia. Her MA research comparing inter-provincial sentencing patterns of violent young offenders combined with her frontline experience working with high risk youth in conflict with the law sparked Dr. Dow’s interest in strengthening the relationship between public policy decisions and the lived experiences of the individuals and communities impacted by these decisions.
Prior to joining UFV, Dr. Dow worked in government as a policy analyst in the areas of social assistance, employment readiness and child development. Dr. Dow has worked on a variety of program and policy development projects in relation to public safety, health, education, and vulnerable populations and has presented her work internationally. Her appointments by the Solicitor General of Canada as an Independent Chairperson (Pacific Region, Correctional Services of Canada) presiding over serious court and by the Government of British Columbia as a panel member on the Industrial Training Appeal Board have provided Dr. Dow with additional opportunities to engage her commitment to equity, social justice and providing space for marginalized voices. She has worked with all levels of government, the United Nations, and a variety of non-governmental organizations collaborating on over 50 projects, academic papers, book chapters and reports.
Dr. Dow is a recipient of the UFV Teaching Excellence Award (2016) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Social, Cultural and Media Studies.