Barbara Perry, PhD
Professor
Director, Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism
Criminology and Justice
Faculty of Social Science and Humanities
Director, Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism
Criminology and Justice
Faculty of Social Science and Humanities
Global hate crime expert and leading author cultivates a society of education and victim support
Full biography
Barbara Perry, PhD, is recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities and renowned authors on Hate Crime. A Professor in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Dr. Perry is helping to frame the field, and foster global education and support for victims of violence. Excited by her ability to challenge the status quo and traditional ways of thinking about the justice system, Dr. Perry has studied hate crime for more than 20 years. What drew her in was the enormous opportunity to fill the many gaps in the system; dealing with victims and their experiences; then sharing their stories to create broader awareness. She is passionate about giving victims a voice and deeply committed to bringing people in marginalized communities back into the fold so that they can realize full citizenship. Her pursuit of social justice stems from her desire to have a more critical perspective. In 1985, Dr. Perry obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Social Behaviour from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario; she received her Master of Arts in Sociology from Queen’s University in 1987, and earned her Doctorate in Sociology from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario in 1992. Her previous appointments include Assistant Professor and Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Northern Arizona University, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of Southern Maine. Throughout her esteemed career, Dr. Perry has received numerous teaching and research awards for her work including the 2013 Distinguished Scholar Award from Auckland University in New Zealand. In 2012, she was appointed Honorary Fellow in the Department of Criminology at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom; and she was awarded the American Society of Criminology’s 2007 Critical Criminologist of the Year.
Areas of expertise
Media appearances
The New York Times print December 31, 1969As Canada Transforms, an Anti-Immigrant Fringe StirsSome critics have blamed Donald J. Trump’s nationalistic language, but right-wing extremism has long thrived in Canada among skinheads, white supremacists and others, said Barbara Perry, a global hate crime expert at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Ontario, and the lead author of a report published last year in the journal Studies in Conflict & Terrorism.
Vice News online January 2, 2017Why White Nationalists Are the Extremists We Should FearWhile we still know very little about Alexandre Bissonnette, the university student accused of killing six people at a Quebec City mosque Sunday night, a picture of him has begun to emerge, and it's a picture that everyone on the internet is familiar with.
tvo tv August 9, 2016Right Wing Extremism in CanadaIt's known as the "other terror" - the domestic threat posed by right-wing extremism, including white supremacists and anti-government radicals. According to one report, 59 per cent of "lone wolf" attacks in Canada over the last 15 years have been committed by right-wing extremists. Barbara Perry, professor at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, joins The Agenda to discuss the various right wing extremist groups across Canada, and the threat they pose.
The Star online October 3, 2016The disturbing movement against Syrian refugees in CanadaA 2016 study by academics Barbara Perry and Ryan Scrivens found that right-wing extremism in Canada is “more extensive and more active than public rhetoric would suggest,” comprising at least 100 active groups — many of which are linked to like-minded European and American organizations.- Spice Radio October 3, 2016Right-Wing Extremist Groups in CanadaLive broadcast on Spice Mornings.
- The Link print July 3, 2016Fight Where You Stand: Lessons from the Global Struggle Against Fascism and RacismA few weeks ago, my partner was riding the metro when two men got on the train. Another man, sitting across from her, complimented them on the patches they were wearing, which read “A30B,” and carried a symbol resembling a Wolfsangel—a symbol of Nazi Germany. The two men started talking to him in Eastern European accents, describing how they just arrived in Montreal, and were still finding their way around. The other man, a Quebecer, said that he could plug them in with the local movement.
- The Peak print December 31, 1969Study finds white supremacist groups are on the rise in Canada: SFU research notes an uptick in radical activity following arrival of Syrian refugeesTo many Canadians, the face of violent white supremacy wears the hood of the Klu Klux Klan and lives somewhere in the southern United States, or perhaps even in the past. However, a recent study co-authored by SFU criminology PhD candidate Ryan Scrivens and University of Ontario professor Dr. Barbara Perry suggests otherwise.
- AM 1150 radio December 31, 1969The Early Edition: Extremist GroupsLive broadcast hosted by Phil Johnson and Gord Vizzutti.
- News Examiner online December 31, 1969Right wing extremism on the rise in CanadaA study recently published by a trio of researchers entitled “Uneasy Alliances: A Look at the Right-Wing Extremist Movement in Canada” found that there are over a hundred such groups operating in the nation, most in British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec. We aren’t talking about groups who simply espouse their hate and misinformation online then move along either; we are talking about groups that have carried out attacks and even murders on those whose political beliefs they don’t like.
- News 1130 AM - Vancouver's Breaking News, Traffic and Weather Station radio December 31, 1969Right wing extremism is alive and well in BC: SFU studyRight wing extremists are flourishing in BC, Alberta and Quebec according to a new study out of SFU. Co-author of the report, Ryan Scrivens says while these groups aren’t likely to be in Vancouver, they are present in parts of the province.
- Vice News print December 31, 1969Right-Wing Extremism is Thriving in CanadaAccording to a new study, right-wing extremism in Canada is thriving — despite the fact that the movement is fragmented and plagued with infighting. Over the course of three years, authors of a recent study, entitled Uneasy Alliances: A Look at the Right-Wing Extremist Movement in Canada, published in the journal Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, found at least 100 right-wing extremist groups operating in Canada, especially in Alberta, BC, and Quebec. Video: http://en.daily.vice.com/videos/february-19-founding-member-run-dmc-ditched-grammys-record-metal-song-montreal
- National Observer online December 31, 1969Southern Poverty Law Center releases shocking new reportIn Canada, two researchers just released a report in early February titled Uneasy Alliances: A Look at the Right-Wing Extremist Movement in Canada. The report is behind a journal paywall and the lead author, Ontario professor Barbara Perry, could not be reached for comment, but according to a piece in the Georgia Straight the researchers found about 100 right-wing extremist groups currently operating in Canada.
- The Georgia Straight print February 2, 2016University researchers examine white supremacy activity in CanadaTwo Canadian researchers—University of Ontario professor Barbara Perry and Simon Fraser University criminology PhD candidate Ryan Scrivens—worked on the project “Right Wing Extremism in Canada: An Environmental Scan" to examine the state of white power groups in the country. They published the results of their study "Uneasy Alliances: A Look at the Right-Wing Extremist Movement in Canada" in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism on February 5.
National Post print December 31, 1969Right-wing extremist groups ‘prevalent’ across Canada, study warnsCanada’s right-wing extremist movement is a motley crew of white supremacists, anti-government “sovereignists” and pro-militia crusaders who, despite being disorganized and prone to booze-fuelled in-fighting, are “more extensive and more active” than most people think, says a new study.- Oshawa This Week print July 8, 2011Hate crimes centre around sexual orientation: Oshawa professorUOIT professor hopes to make difference with hate crime research
Speaking Engagements
- Vancouver, British Columbia June 2, 2016Missing Pieces and Misplaced Priorities: An Acknowledgement of Right Wing Extremism in CanadaWestern Society of Criminology Annual Conference
- Washington, DC December 31, 1969The “Right” Response to Right Wing Extremism in CanadaAmerican Society of Criminology Annual Meeting
- San Francisco, California December 31, 1969Right Wing Extremism in Canada: An Environmental Scan of the Current State of the Canadian “Movement"71st Annual Meeting of American Society of Criminology
- Durham Regional Police Service Headquarters, Whitby, Ontario January 9, 2015Identifying and Responding to Right Wing ExtremismOntario Association of Chiefs of Police Diversity Council
- Brighton, United Kingdom July 5, 2015White Pride Worldwide: Constructing Global Identities OnlineSymposium on Internationalizing Hate Crime, Sussex University
- Auckland, New Zealand April 6, 2014Visibilities, Vilification and Violence: Islamophobic Hate Crime in CanadaDepartment of Sociology, Auckland University
- Auckland, New Zealand April 6, 2014Community Impacts of Hate CrimeAuckland University
- University of Limerick, Ireland December 31, 1969Universal Suffering: A Global Continuum of ViolenceSymposium on Regulating Emotions, Research Cluster in Emotions and Society
- University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom September 5, 2014Universal Suffering: Intervening Globally in Hate CrimeInternational Network for Hate Studies Conference
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania December 31, 1969“Three Man Wrecking Crews”: Right Wing Extremism in CanadaAcademy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
- Atlanta, Georgia December 31, 1969Bound by the Code: Legal Constraints of Policing Gender-Motivated Violence in CanadaAmerican Society of Criminology Annual Meeting
- Nottingham, United Kingdom September 5, 2013Seeing Muslims: Identities, Visibilities, and Islamophobic Violence in CanadaNottingham-Trent University
- Leicester, United Kingdom August 5, 2013Rejected and Dejected: The Impacts of Islamophobic Violence on Community MembersScarman Public Lecture, University of Leicester
- Albany, New York December 31, 1969I Don’t Know Where it is Safe: Trans Identified Womens' Experience of ViolenceExplorations in Justice Conference, University of Albany
- Ottawa, Ontario December 31, 1969Right Wing Extremism in Canada: Preliminary ObservationsMetropolis Conference
- Niagara Falls, Ontario July 2, 2013Community Impacts of Hate CrimeOntario Provincial Police Blue Sky Conference on Hate Crime and Extremism
- Timmins, Ontario December 31, 1969Confronting Homophobia: Full-day WorkshopCouncil of Social Services
- Ottawa, Ontario September 11, 2012Right Wing Extremism in Canada: Acknowledging the ProblemKanishka Opening Conference
- Seattle, Washington February 11, 2012UOIT’s Contribution to Oshawa’s Downtown RevitalizationCouncil of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
- Toronto Police College December 31, 1969Community Impacts of Hate CrimeHate Crime Symposium
- Salaheddin Islamic Centre, Scarborough, Ontario December 31, 1969Impacts of Islamophobic ViolenceIslamophobia Symposium
- Oxford, United Kingdom December 31, 1969Promising Practices in Responding to Hate CrimeHate Crime Symposium, Oxford Brookes University
Affiliations
- American Society of Criminology
- British Society of Criminology
- Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
- American Sociological Association
- Society for the Study of Social Problems