Brock University researchers have been awarded more than $655,000 in funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada\u2019s (SSHRC) Insight Development Grant program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are happy but in no way surprised by this level of success,\u201d says Brock University Vice-President, Research Tim Kenyon. \u201cSSHRC\u2019s investment in our researchers and scholars continues to enable Brock University to develop and contribute expertise on topics and problems of importance to society.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 11 researchers and their projects receiving funding are spread out over the Faculties of Applied Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities and the Goodman School of Business.<\/p>\n
Kemi Anazodo, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management in the Goodman School of Business, is one of the researchers awarded an Insight Development Grant.<\/p>\n
Anazodo is heading up a team of Canadian and American researchers in partnership with the Centre of Research and Policy at John Howard Society of Ontario to investigate employers\u2019 attitudes towards hiring people with a criminal history.<\/p>\n
She says recent research has shown many employers say they are willing to hire justice-involved persons, but that it doesn\u2019t happen so often in practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know from past research the best way to integrate people with a criminal history into society is with gainful, sustainable employment, however, they experience so many barriers and hardships in being able to attain that,\u201d says Anazodo.<\/p>\n
The team will conduct literature reviews, interviews and surveys to understand the social and psychological factors that shape willingness to hire; if and how incentives motivate employers to hire; perceptions of risks and benefits of hiring; and power relations between subordinates with a criminal history and their managers at work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m incredibly honoured to receive the Insight Development Grant,\u201d says Anazodo. \u201cI\u2019m really excited for our team. Getting this award is an important step towards better understanding and support for second chance employment.\u201d<\/p>\n