Michele Peterson-badali
Professor
Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development
University of Toronto
Canada
Biography
Dr. Michele Peterson-Badali is currently serving as OISEs Associate Dean, Research, International & Innovation.
Research Interest
Her research focuses on childrens and adolescents knowledge, reasoning, perceptions, and experiences of the youth justice system, their understanding of rights, and their evolving legal capacities. One of the guiding principles of her research program over the past 25 years has been to provide an evidence basis for Canadian youth justice policy and practice. Past research has examined adolescents understanding of due process rights; youths knowledge of Canadian youth justice legislation; perceptions and experiences of peer violence in youth custody settings; and parental involvement in the youth justice system. Current research addresses effective rehabilitation for justice-involved youth in the context of the risk-need-responsivity framework, including a focus on Indigenous youth; and the role of mental health issues in youth justice system involvement. In addition to scholarly dissemination of her work, Dr. Peterson-Badali is actively engaged in bringing her research findings into the spheres of public policy and practice; she has conducted research and provided policy consultation for the federal Department of Justice, provided consultation and training to various youth courts and probation offices, and served as an expert witness for the provincial advocate for children and youth.
