Dr. Maaike Helmus

Associate Professor

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Biography

Maaike Helmus received her PhD in forensic psychology from Carleton University. She is a co-founder and the current Vice-President (Research) of the Society for the Advancement of Actuarial Risk and Needs Assessment (SAARNA). Her research primarily focuses on offender risk assessment, with an overarching goal of improving the accuracy, fairness, reliability, and transparency of case management decisions made within the criminal legal system. Helmus has a particular interest in the development and validation of risk scales, risk communication, and biases in decision-making. She conducts focused research on individuals convicted of sexual offenses and intimate partner violence, exploring the cross-cultural applicability of risk factor scales. Helmus is also involved in meta-analyses and serves as a co-editor for the journal 'Sexual Offending Theory, Research, Prevention', in addition to being on the editorial board of 'Sexual Abuse'.

Research Interests

Awards

#2022

Early Career Research Award

#2021

Saleem Shah Early Career Award

Courses

CRIM 103 – Psychological Explanations of Crime and Deviant Behaviour CRIM 320 – Quantitative Research Methods CRIM 318 – Special Topics (Forensic Assessment of Offenders) CRIM 418 – Special Topics (Offender Risk Assessment) CRIM 861 – Research Methods II CRIM 872 – Special Topics (Meta-Analysis)

Requirements for Simon Fraser University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:93
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or related field
Application Checklist
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Specialization Notes

Department of Philosophy