Maria Brisbane

Department of Sociology and Legal Studies 

SSHRC Doctoral Fellow 

Research Interests

My research interests lie at the intersection of the sociology of education, child and youth studies and social policy. My dissertation broadly examines educators’ perspectives on school violence in Ontario, with a focus on how institutional policies and procedures shape their professional practice when responding to and reporting violent incidents. Drawing on qualitative methods, this study aims to understand the everyday realities educators face when navigating school safety issues.

Previously, my M.Ed. research explored Black youths’ disciplinary experiences, particularly their reintegration to school following suspensions. This work highlighted the broader institutional and interpersonal dynamics that influence students’ experiences with disciplinary practices.

Select Publications

• Aurini, J., LaCroix, E., Iafolla, V., Brisbane, M., & Dreesha, M., (2025). Qualitative student mobility research in Canada: Existing contributions an scholarly recommendations. Canadian Journal of Higher Education. https://www.cjhe-rces.ca/index.php/cjhe/article/view/190107/186745
• Bundy, J. T., Rhodes, V., Brooks, M., Brisbane, M., & Delia Deckard, N. (2023). All things considered: A collaborative critical autoethnography of emerging racialized scholars. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
• Edwards, T., Brisbane, M., Laylor, A., Chowdhury, R., Parada, H., & King, B. (2023). “I wasn’t enrolled”: Exploring the educational narratives of Black youth navigating out-of-home care in Ontario’s child welfare system. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-023-00955-8