2026 Conference Speakers

Carlos Ponce, PhD
University of the Fraser Valley

Dr. Carlos Ponce is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of the Fraser Valley and a Research Associate with the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research. His research focuses on extortion, criminal governance, gangs, and organized crime, concentrating primarily on Latin America. Much of his work has been conducted within criminal justice agencies and through partnerships with law enforcement and non-profit organizations.

Amanda McCormick, PhD
University of the Fraser Valley

Dr. Amanda McCormick is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, a Research Associate with the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research, and a Commitment Leader for the Reducing Domestic Violence Community of Practice for the Peace and Reconciliation Centre at the University of the Fraser Valley. Her research focuses on intimate partner violence with an emphasis on enhancing police knowledge and responses to strangulation as a form of violence against women. Dr. McCormick has over 10 years of experience working on various policing and public safety issues, including intimate partner violence, elder abuse, gambling, and mental health.

Kevin Burk, PhD (ABD)
University of the Fraser Valley

Kevin Burk is an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of the Fraser Valley and a Research Associate with the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research. He is a PhD candidate in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University and has over 10 years of experience in public safety and criminal justice research. Kevin’s research interests include policing and public safety, as well as terrorism and violent extremism.

Kim Rossmo, PhD
Texas State University

Dr. Kim Rossmo is the Director of the Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation and professor at Texas State University. He holds a PhD from Simon Fraser University and is published in environmental criminology, crime geography, and criminal investigations.

A former Detective Inspector who led the Vancouver Police Department’s Geographic Profiling Section, Dr. Rossmo has also served as Director of Research for the Police Foundation and as a consultant with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He is a member of the IACP Advisory Committee for Police Investigative Operations, sits on the editorial board for Homicide Studies, and is an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University.

His research has been supported by numerous federal grants, including work on terrorist cell structures, wrongful convictions, and offender decision-making. He is the author of Geographic Profiling, Criminal Investigative Failures, and a Texas crime atlas, and has received honours such as the Sterling Prize and the Governor General of Canada Police Exemplary Service Medal.