Jana Grekul, PhD

Area of Study / Keywords

Deviance Eugenics Gender and Crime Re-entry Post-Incarceration Pedagogy Punishment Research Methodology Street and Prison Gangs

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About

Jana Grekul is a prominent criminologist and critical feminist scholar. She earned a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Alberta, where she is currently an associate professor. She is also the director of the U of A’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminology Program and former director of the Arts Pedagogy and Research Laboratory.

Grekul has over two decades of research and teaching experience in the related fields of criminology and sociology. Her work critically examines topics such as the process of gang desistance and gendered pathways into and out of prisons. Through an intersectional lens, Grekul explores the interplay between victimization and criminalization while considering the mediating effects of factors such as race, class and gender. Some of her recent research projects include a SSHRC-funded study of the reintegration of formerly incarcerated women into communities; the sterilization and forced contraception of immigrant and Indigenous women in Canada, Peru and Indonesia; and an ethnographic study of women, gender and motorcycle culture.

Much of Grekul’s work bridges the divide between the classroom and the community, helping to inform best practices to reduce structural challenges post-incarceration. Her commitment to excellence in research and teaching are evidenced by her numerous accolades, including the McCalla Professorship (2018), the Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2018), the Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Teaching Award (2017), the Department of Sociology’s Bill Meloff Memorial Undergraduate Teaching Award (2011), the Faculty of Arts’ Kathleen W. Klawe Prize for Excellence in Teaching of Large Classes (2011) and the U of A Graduate Student Teaching Award (2001). Grekul also gives back to the community, having served as a board member of REACH Edmonton and as a member of the evaluation advisory boards for WrapEd and for the Uncles and Aunts at Large Strengthening Families program. In her spare time, Grekul enjoys caring for her cats and dogs, spending time outdoors and riding her motorcycle.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7566-7000

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Research

Recent Journal Articles

Foster, S., & Grekul, J. (2024). “This might be cliche, but it was a sense of family”: Gang involvement among Indigenous young adults and their search for attachment, community, and hope. The Canadian Review of Sociology, 1-19.

Grekul, J., Robinson, J., & Aujla, W. (2023). Adapting Criminology Field Placements during a Global Pandemic: Communication, Flexibility, and Contingency Plans in Experiential Learning. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 1–20.

Grekul, J. (2020). Prisoning Indigenous Women: Strength and Resilience in the Face of Systemic Trauma. Aboriginal Policy Studies, 9(1), 3–24.

Grekul, J., & Barkway, K. (2019). “We are Here for Research but Also for Teaching”: Exploring the Impact of Graduate Student Teaching Assistantships on Professional Development and First-Time Teaching Experiences. Transformative Dialogues: Teaching & Learning Journal, 12(2), 1–19.

Grekul, J., Aujla, W., Eklics, G., Manca, T., York, A. E., & Aylsworth, L. (2018). Community Service-Learning in a Large Introductory Sociology Course: Reflections on the Instructional Experience. Engaged Scholar Journal, 4(1), 61–78.

Chalas, D. M., & Grekul, J. (2017). I’ve Had Enough: Exploring Gang Life From the Perspective of (Ex) Members in Alberta. Prison Journal, 97(3), 364–386.

Islam, M. T., Thue, L., & Grekul, J. (2017). Understanding Traffic Safety Culture: Implications for Increasing Traffic Safety. Transportation Research Record, 2635(1), 79–89.

 

Books

Adler, F., Mueller, G. O. W., Laufer, W. S., & Grekul, J. (2022). Criminology (3rd Canadian Ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Schaefer, R. T., & Grekul, J. (2020). Sociology: A Brief Introduction (7th Canadian Ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Schaefer, R. T.,  Grekul, J., & Haaland, B. (2017). Sociology: A Brief Introduction (6th Canadian Ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Adler, F., Mueller, G. O. W., Laufer, W. S., & Grekul, J. (2012). Criminology (2nd Canadian Ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Schaefer, R. T., Smith, E., & Grekul, J. (2009). Sociology (2nd Canadian Ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Adler, F., Mueller, G. O. W., Laufer, W. S., & Grekul, J. (2009). Criminology (Canadian Ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Schaefer, R. T., & Grekul, J. (2007). Sociology Matters (Canadian Ed.). McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

Book Chapters

Grekul, J., Greenberg, H., & Nelson, R. (2019). Aboriginal Youth Crime in Canada. In Winterdyk, J. A., & Smandych, R. C. (Eds.), Youth at Risk and Youth Justice: A Canadian Overview (3rd Ed.). Oxford University Press.

Grekul, J., & Thue, L. (2016). Curb the Danger: Six Years of Curbing Impaired Driving through Police-Community Collaboration. In Kratcoski, P. C., & Edelbacher, M. (Eds.), Collaborative Policing: Police, Academics, Professionals, and Communities Working Together for Education, Training, and Program Implementation. CRC Press.

Grekul, J., Greenberg, H., & Nelson, R. (2015). Aboriginal Youth Crime in Canada. In Winterdyk, J. A., & Smandych, R. C. (Eds.), Youth at Risk and Youth Justice: A Canadian Overview (2nd Ed.). Oxford University Press.

Greenberg, H., Grekul, J., & Nelson, R. (2012). Aboriginal Youth Crime in Canada. In Winterdyk, J. A., & Smandych, R. C. (Eds.), Youth at Risk and Youth Justice: A Canadian Overview. Oxford University Press.

Grekul, J. (2009). The Right to Consent? Eugenics in Alberta, 1928-1972. In Miron, J. (Ed.), A History of Human Rights: Essential Issues. Canadian Scholars’ Press.

 

Recent Reports

Thue, L., & Grekul, J. (2016). “Edmonton and Area Traffic Safety Culture Survey: Summary of Key Findings.” Traffic Safety, City of Edmonton.

Thue, L., & Grekul, J. (2014). “Edmonton and Area Traffic Safety Culture Survey: Summary of Key Findings, Telephone Survey.” Office of Traffic Safety, City of Edmonton.

Thue, L., & Grekul, J. (2014). “Edmonton and Area Traffic Safety Culture Survey: Summary of Key Findings, Online Survey.” Office of Traffic Safety, City of Edmonton.

Grekul, J., & Thue, L. (2013). “Curb the Danger Phase II: Investigation of the Relationship Between Impaired Driving, Other Risky Driving Behaviours, and Crime.” Office of Traffic Safety, City of Edmonton.

Grekul, J., & Thomson, J. (2012). “University of Alberta Criminology Program Self-Study Report.” Department of Sociology, University of Alberta.

Sanderson, K., Hutchinson, B., & Grekul, J. (2011). “Exploring the Link between School Attendance, Developmental Assets and Social Capital in a First Nations Community.” Centre for Criminology and Justice Research, Mount Royal University. Publication Number 005-12-16.

Grekul, J., & Thue, L. (2010). “Curb the Danger: Evidence-Based and Value-Added Benefits, Phase I Report Addendum, 2010 Edmonton Survey Results.” Office of Traffic Safety, City of Edmonton.

Grekul, J., & Thue, L. (2010). “Curb the Danger: Evidence-Based and Value-Added Benefits, Phase I Report.” Office of Traffic Safety, City of Edmonton.

Encyclopedia Entries

Grekul, J. (2007). Eugenics Movement. In Anderson, G. (Ed.), SAGE Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice. Sage Publications.

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Teaching

SOC 100 - Introductory Sociology

An examination of the theory, methods, and substance of Sociology. The study of how societies are shaped including economy, culture, socialization, deviance, stratification, and groups. The process of social change through social movements, industrialization, etc. Note: Not to be taken by students with credit in SOC 300.

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SOC 430 - Women and Crime

Key concepts, issues and debates with respect to women in the criminal justice system as offenders, defendants, prisoners, and victims. Prerequisite: SOC 225 or consent of instructor.

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Browse more courses taught by Jana Grekul

Seeley Foster and Jana Grekul

The Canadian Review of Sociology. 2024 April;

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Jana Grekul, Jenna Robinson, and Wendy Aujla

Journal of Criminal Justice Education. 2023 June;

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Freda Adler, Gerhard O.W. Mueller, William S. Laufer, and Jana Grekul.

McGraw Hill Toronto. 2022 September;

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Jana Grekul

aboriginal policy studies. 2020 April; 8 (2):3-24

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Schaefer, Richard T., Jana Grekul, and Bonnie Haaland.

2020 January;

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Jana Grekul and Kelsi Barkway

Transformative Dialogues: Teaching & Learning Journal. 2019 July; 12 (1)