CASSANDRA RAMDATH, PHD
Public Health & Safety Scholar | Community Engaged Researcher | Educator
About me
I am an applied researcher and educator with 15 years of experience at the intersection of public health and safety. My work examines community experiences of harm and violence, advances evidence-based system reforms, and explores transformative approaches to creating safer, healthier communities—without over-reliance on carceral systems. I center the voices and priorities of impacted communities and stakeholders, addressing systemic racial inequities where public health and criminal justice intersect.
Beyond research, I am a committed educator and mentor, training the next generation of justice-focused scholars and practitioners in rigorous, community-engaged methodologies. I am passionate about empowering emerging researchers to challenge inequities and reimagine public safety and well-being.
I am a second-generation Indo-Caribbean immigrant, raised by parents who migrated from Trinidad & Tobago to Toronto, Canada, in the 1970s. Growing up in a culturally and economically diverse community shaped my deep commitment to inclusivity and community-driven research.
My academic journey spans three continents:
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Bachelor of Social Science – University of Ottawa, Canada
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Master of Criminology – Bond University, Australia
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Doctorate of Criminal Justice – John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City
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Through research, education, and mentorship, I strive to advance justice-driven solutions that build healthier, more equitable communities.
Who I Am
Researcher.
I am a community-engaged researcher dedicated to transforming public safety through applied, equity-centered research. My work bridges the gap between scholarship, policy, and practice to create actionable solutions that reduce harm and promote health and justice. Through participatory methods, I elevate community voices, challenge systemic inequities, and mentor the next generation of justice-focused scholars and practitioners.
Educator.
I am an engaged and hands-on educator who believes that learning should be interactive, relevant, and transformative. I bring real-world examples into the classroom using case studies and relevant social media to help students connect theory to practice. My goal is to empower students to think critically about the criminal justice system, public health and safety, and social equity—and to see and believe in themselves as future changemakers. I create a learning environment where students feel challenged, supported, and inspired to apply their knowledge to real-world issues.
Scholar.
I am a publicly engaged scholar focused on the intersection of public health and public safety, to understand community experiences of violence and harm, systems reforms, and transformative approaches to health and justice. My research is driven by a commitment to equity, evidence-based solutions, and community collaboration. I publish in academic journals, author op-eds, research and policy reports, and regularly present at conferences to advance conversations the intersection of health and justice. My scholarship is deeply applied, bridging research with practice to drive meaningful change.
Changemaker.
I believe that public health and safety is deeply rooted in equity and opportunity. My work is dedicated to reimagining safety beyond incarceration, centering prevention, intervention, and community-driven solutions. Whether through policy research, public engagement, or teaching and mentoring the next generation of justice-focused leaders, I work to challenge the status quo and advance transformative solutions that prioritize healing over punishment.
Collaborator.
I thrive in multidisciplinary, community-centered collaborations that bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and those directly impacted by the justice system. I believe the best solutions come from co-creation, where knowledge is shared across sectors and diverse experiences are valued as expertise. I welcome opportunities to partner on research, policy development, and program evaluation efforts that advance data-driven, community-informed approaches to violence prevention and public safety.,