Alexis Mitchell, MA, BA

Area of Study / Keywords

Criminology Public Policy Sociolegal Theory Research Administration Research Development Support Engineering ALES Science

About

I hold a Master of Arts in Sociology (Criminal Justice/Criminology) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Sociology, both earned from the University of Alberta. 

Since 2023, I have been a Research Administration Specialist with the Research Partner Network. In this role, I work collaboratively with other members of the Vice-President (Research) portfolio, colleges, faculties, and departments to provide researchers with targeted, end-to-end guidance on research administration, policies, procedures, and sponsor requirements. I support researchers throughout the research lifecycle, from proposal development and application processes through to post-award administration and compliance.

I am assigned to the College of Natural & Applied Sciences, supporting researchers across the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Science, and Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences. I particularly enjoy working at the intersection of research administration and the diverse disciplines represented across these faculties.

Please feel free to contact me with questions related to research policy, procedures, or administration. I am always happy to connect and help researchers navigate the University’s research processes.

Research

My master's research, under the supervision of Dr. Kevin Haggerty, examined the evolution and persistence of solitary confinement practices within the Canadian correctional system, with a focus on the legal and institutional mechanisms that sustain these practices despite their controversial nature. 

Through a critical analysis of legislative frameworks, judicial decisions, and policy documents, I explored how solitary confinement has been justified and perpetuated within Canada's penal institutions. My research also assessed the impact of these practices on inmate well-being, human rights implications, and the broader socio-legal discourse surrounding punishment and reform. Additionally, it investigated the disproportionate impact on Indigenous peoples, highlighting how systemic biases and colonial legacies contribute to their overrepresentation in solitary confinement. 

My work contributes to a deeper understanding of the systemic factors that uphold solitary confinement and offers insights into potential avenues for policy reform aimed at mitigating its use in correctional settings.