April Girard, 

B.A.H, M.A., Ph.D.  

Email: 6ag29@queensu.ca

 

Research Interests

• Feminist Theory; Post-structuralism; Social Policy; Violence against Women; Political Economy; Research Methods

My doctoral research explored the social, political and economic factors that shape anti-violence against women strategies in Ontario. In particular, how Ontario provincial governments (Liberal, NDP and Conservative) over the last three decades have attempted to construct particular representations of domestic violence as a social problem through zero-tolerance policies, specialized courts and police units, domestic violence legislation and an ‘Action Plan’. Focusing on the most recent attempt by the Liberal provincial government to create domestic violence policies to protect women and children in Ontario, I examined how state and non-state actors currently construct domestic violence as a social problem.

Education

• PhD Sociology (Spring 2012), Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  Thesis: “Do Good Intentions Beget Good Policy?  Two Steps Forward and One Step Back in the Construction of Domestic Violence in Ontario"
• MA Sociology (2006), University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
  Thesis: “The Ontario Domestic Violence Protection Act: An Analysis of Discourse”
• BA Sociology (2004), University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
  Thesis: “Attributions and Attitudes Concerning Date Rape: The Role of the New ‘Date Rape Drugs’”

Teaching and Research Experience

Instructor

• Introduction to Research, Applied Research, Critical Thinking and Academic Writing, Issues in Psychology and Cultural Diversity and Social Responsibility in Canada and Abroad courses (2008 – Present), School of Media and Interior Design, Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Teaching Assistantships

• Sociology of Crime and Delinquency (Dr. Vincent Sacco, Queen’s University, Winter 2011)
• Social Research Methods (Dr. Fiona Kay, Queen’s University, Fall 2009)
• Research Methodology (Dr. Myra Hird, Queen’s University, Fall 2008)
• Sociology of the Family (Dr. Cathie Krull, Queen’s University, Winter 2008)
• Criminal Justice, Feminism and Reform: Why Policies Fail (Dr. Laureen Snider, Queen’s University, Fall 2007)
• Contemporary Social Theory (Dr. Amina Mire, Carleton University, Winter 2007)
• Introduction to Sociology (Dr. Sian Reid, Carleton University, Fall 2006)
• Victimology (Dr. Danielle Soulliere, University of Windsor, Winter 2005; Fall 2006)
• Penology (Dr. Danielle Soulliere, University of Windsor, Winter 2006)
• Introduction to Criminology (Dr. James Williams, University of Windsor, Fall 2004)

Guest Lecture

• Violence against Women and Ontario Policies, Queen’s University, Fall 2007

Research Assistantships

• Research Assistant to Dr. Laureen Snider, Queen’s University (May 2007- August 2011), SSHRC-funded research projects on corporate crime and surveillance
• Centre for Studies in Social Justice, Research Assistant to Dr. Tanya Basok, University of Windsor (Summer 2006), for the project titled “Barriers and Brides: Enhancing Access to Services for Newcomers with Physical and Mental Disabilities.”
• Research Assistant to Dr. Ruth Mann, University of Windsor (September 2004 –September 2006), on her SSHRC-funded project on youth violence and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

• Day, S., Girard, A., Snider, L. and Watters, J. (2009) “Rightsizing Regulation: The Competition Act, 1975-2005” Canadian Journal of Law and Society, 24, 47-67.
• Girard, A. L. (2009). Backlash or Equality? The Influence of Men’s and Women’s Rights Discourses on Domestic Violence Legislation in Ontario. Violence Against Women, 15, 1, 5-23.
• Girard, A. L., & Senn, C. Y. (2008). The Role of the New ‘Date Rape Drugs’ in Attributions about Date Rape. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23, 3-20.
• Mann, R. M., Senn, C. Y., Girard, A., & Ackbar, S. (2007). Community-based Interventions for At-risk Youth in Ontario under Canada’s “new” Youth Criminal Justice Act: A Case Study of a “Runaway” Girl. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 49, 37-73.
• Girard, A., Day, S., and Snider, L. (2010) “Tracking Environmental Crime Through CEPA: Canada’s Environment Cops or Industry’s Best Friend?” Canadian Journal of Sociology, 35, 219-241.

Presentations

Conferences

• Girard, A. (05/09) “‘Dealing with’ Domestic Violence: How Ontario Provincial Governments have Constructed Domestic Violence as a Social Problem” Canadian Sociological Association, Ottawa, Ontario.
• Girard, A., Day, S. and Snider, S. (05/09) “Tracking Environmental Crime through CEPA: Canada’s Environment Cops or Industry’s Best Friend?” Canadian Law and Society Association, Ottawa, Ontario.
• Girard, A. (11/07) “Backlash or Equality? The Influence of Men’s Rights Discourses on the Demise of Domestic Violence Legislation in Ontario” American Society of Criminology, Atlanta, Georgia.
• Mann, R., Girard, A., Senn, C. and Ackbar, S. (06/06) “Intimate Partner Violence And Parenting Challenges among At-Risk and Offending Youths in Ontario: A Correctional Assessment/Intervention Gaps” Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association, Toronto, Ontario.
• Girard, A. (05/06) “The Creation and Demise of Bill 117: An Analysis of Discourses” Feminist Research Group. Inter-Actions: Celebrating Feminist Theory and Practice, Windsor, Ontario.
• Girard, A. (11/05) “The Ontario Domestic Violence Protection Act: An Analysis of Discourses” American Society of Criminology: The Interdisciplinary Roots and Branches of Criminology, Toronto, Ontario.
• Mann, R., Girard, A., Senn, C. and Ackbar, S. (11/05) “Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act and Female Youth "At-risk": Positive and Negative Implications of Radical Non-intervention” American Society of Criminology: The interdisciplinary Roots and Branches of Criminology, Toronto, Ontario.
• Girard, A. (07/05) “An Analysis of Domestic Violence Policy: Is Foucault Good for Feminism?” Social Justice Student Conference Inequality Exposed: Exploring the inter-disciplinary pinnacle of Social Justice, Windsor, Ontario.
• Girard, A. (06/05) “The Role of the New ‘Date Rape Drugs’ in Attributions about Date Rape” Canadian Psychological Association 66th Annual Convention, Montreal, Quebec.
• Girard, A. (05/05) “Attributions and Attitudes Concerning Date Rape: The Role of the New ‘Date Rape Drugs.” Feminist Research Group’s Inter-Actions: Exploring Diverse Feminist Perspectives, Windsor, Ontario.

Reviews

• Girard, A. (2010) Violence Against Women, Guest Anonymous Reviewer
• Girard, A. (2009) Journal of Psychopharmacology, Guest Anonymous Reviewer
• Girard, A. (2009) Journal of Comparative Family Studies, Guest Reviewer

Awards

• 2011: Queen's Department of Sociology Thesis Completion Funding
• 2010-2011: Queen's Graduate Award
• 2008-2010: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship
• 2007-2008: Ontario Graduate Scholarship
• 2006-2010: Carleton University Department Scholarship
• 2006-2010: Carleton University Domestic Tuition Scholarship
• 2005-2006: Social Science and Humanities Research Council Canadian Graduate Scholarship
• 2005-2006: University of Windsor Department of Sociology Tuition Scholarship
• 2004-2005: University of Windsor Department of Sociology Tuition Scholarship
• 2004-2005: University of Windsor Department of Sociology Quantitative Bursary
• 2004: Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence
• 2003: University of Windsor Internal Scholarship
• 2000: University of Windsor Entrance Scholarship
• 2000: University of Windsor Entrance Bursary

Service

Academic

• 2009: Member, Canadian Law and Society Association
• 2009: Member, Canadian Sociological Association
• 2005-2009t: Member, Health Research Centre for the Study of Violence against Women, University of Windsor
• 2005-2008: Member, American Society of Criminology Division of Women and Crime
• 2004-present: Member, Feminist Research Group, University of Windsor
• 2003, 2005: Student Coordinator, Criminology Orientation Day
• 2002-2003: Social Science Student Representative, University of Windsor

Community

• 2012-Present: Member, Bereaved Families of Ottawa Board of Directors
• 2009-2011: Member at-large, Interval House of Ottawa Board of Directors
• 2006-2009: Member, Interval House of Ottawa Board of Directors
• 2005-2006: Member, The Miss G Project, Windsor Chapter
• 2004-2006: Volunteer, Children’s Aid Society of Windsor and Essex County
• 2003-2005: Member, Friends for Atkinson Park and Pool
• 2001-2003: Volunteer, Victim Services of Windsor and Essex County
• 2000-2004: Volunteer, Belle River Lion’s Club

Skills Training

• 09/07: Teaching Assistant Queen’s University
• 11/06: Presentation Skills Carleton University
• 11/06: Grading Essays Carleton University
• 09/06: Fast and Equitable Grading Carleton University
• 06/06: Teaching Assistant Carleton University
• 09/04: Teaching Assistant University of Windsor