Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah
Akwasi Owusu-Bempah B.A. (Carleton), M.A., Ph.D. (Toronto), is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto and a Senior Fellow at Massey College. He holds Affiliate Scientist status at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and serves as Director of Research for the Campaign for Cannabis Amnesty. Dr. Owusu-Bempah’s work examines the intersections of race, crime and criminal justice, with a particular focus in the area of policing. His current research projects include: 1) a study of public perceptions of the Ontario criminal justice system; 2) an analysis of the implementation of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments in Ontario Courts; 3) an examination of the Black Inmate Experience in Canada. He is also is studying various aspects of cannabis legalization in Canada and around the world. His research has recently been published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Race and Justice, and Theoretical Criminology.
Dr. Owusu-Bempah began his academic career in the United States at Indiana University, Bloomington. Prior to becoming a professor, he held positions with Canada’s National Judicial Institute, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Dr. Owusu-Bempah is frequently sought out to provide commentary and advice to police agencies, government bodies, community organizations, and media outlets on matters relating to policing, justice and social inequality.
