Welcoming Rory Sommers

Rory Sommers joined FHASS this fall and Anna Boshnakova asked him to tell us a bit about himself. Welcome Rory!

Rory Sommers: “One of the reasons I enjoy teaching at Sheridan so much is the diversity of our classrooms and the willingness of our students to take an active role in learning process.”

Photo courtesy: Rory Sommers ( Personal archive)

I started at Sheridan College as a part-time instructor in December 2010 and joined the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences on a full-time basis in August 2013.  Since working at Sheridan, I have had the privilege of teaching a range of different courses in criminology and sociology, including Introduction to Criminology, Profiles in Crime, Scams, Frauds and Identity Theft, Principles of Sociology and Diversity in Canadian Society.

In terms of my teaching approach I try to make my classes as interactive and engaging as possible.  My students play a big role in accomplishing this.

Interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, my academic journey began at college where I received a diploma in Law and Security.  I moved on to Wilfrid Laurier University  where I completed my undergraduate degree in Criminology.  It was during my time at Laurier that I decided to switch paths and pursue a career in academia.  This led me to the University of Guelph where I completed my Masters degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy.  I am currently at the University of Guelph where I am in the latter stages of my Ph.D in Sociology.

My past research has focused on homelessness in Canada and has examined the effects  that provincial and municipal policies have on homeless individuals.  Part of this research was recently featured in the edited book “Youth Homeless in Canada”, a publications geared towards practitioners who provide frontline services to homeless youth.

Currently my doctoral research is examining the role that municipal by-law and by-law enforcement plays in urban rejuvenation projects.  As part of this research, I am examining the extent to which citizens are affected by the enforcement of municipal law and the social and environmental factors that influence municipal official’s discretion.

Outside of work I enjoy playing hockey, golfing, fishing and spending time with my family and friends.