Dr. Adam Ellis

Biography

Adam Ellis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo. He completed his Ph.D. in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies at the University of Toronto, where he developed a keen focus on gang and street violence research. Ellis's work emphasizes a decolonizing framework that seeks to incorporate arts-based research methodologies, particularly drawing from Indigenous storytelling traditions and autoethnography. His innovative research agenda challenges the traditional narratives surrounding gangs and street life, advocating for the inclusion of marginalized voices in the academic discourse. Through the founding of the Street Institute, Ellis fosters an international collective of scholars and community activists, striving to address structural factors affecting the well-being of marginalized communities. His publications span books, journal articles, and various op-eds, contributing significantly to the discourse on criminal justice and community-based research. Ellis is committed to mentoring students and employing marginalized youth as researchers to ensure their experiences are represented in academia. He is actively engaged in transforming knowledge creation in criminology to ignite social and political change, emphasizing participatory and community-driven approaches.

Research Interests

Experience