Dal launches first ever international Restorative Justice Lab

DALHOUSIE LAUNCHES FIRST EVER INTERNATIONAL RESTORATIVE JUSTICE LAB Lab will be led by Schulich Law Professor Jennifer Llewellyn

In June 2020, Dalhousie University launched the first ever international lab focused on restorative justice, with the support of the Donald R. Sobey Foundation. The Restorative Research, Innovation & Education Lab (RRIELab), located in the Schulich School of Law, will be led by a fully funded chair held by Professor Jennifer Llewellyn, a distinguished global leader in restorative justice.

The initial focus of the RRIELab lab will be on accelerating the growth and development of restorative justice as a key component to transform the justice system in Canada; supporting the development of restorative cities around the world; and responding to institutional abuses and failures.

Restorative justice is a human-centred approach to justice that is focused on understanding and responding to impacts and needs of affected individuals and communities. It is not only about responding when things go wrong, it is also about how to make things go right more often. This proactive and future focused approach brings people together to find meaningful and lasting justice solutions.

“The need for restorative justice is not new, indeed systemic and historical injustices mark the experience of marginalized and racialized communities around the world,” says Llewellyn, who is also the Yogis and Keddy Chair in Human Rights Law at Schulich Law.

“In this moment in our history, as we confront the pandemics of COVID-19 and anti-Black racism, we can see clearly that our current ways of doing things are not working. The urgency of a new and different way of imagining and doing justice — doing right by each other — cannot be allowed to pass by this time. We must support and sustain this new vision of justice to ensure it makes a difference throughout our systems, organizations and institutions. I am so proud and honoured that we are embarking on this journey and pledge my commitment to create and support the connections and capacities leaders need in communities, governments and the private sector to work together to reimagine what justice requires and how to achieve it.”

The RRIELab will build on Llewellyn’s extensive work and advocacy for restorative justice. She has published on both the theory and practice of restorative justice, been scholar in residence with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and was director of the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Community University Alliance: a collaborative research partnership between university and community partners focused on the institutionalization of restorative justice. She is currently director of the International Learning Community on a Restorative Approach, an international collaboration of researchers, policy makers and practitioners supporting jurisdictions committed to being restorative communities.

“On behalf of our entire Dalhousie community, I would like to thank the Donald R. Sobey Foundation for its generous support of the RRIELab, and to Professor Jennifer Llewellyn for her groundbreaking work in restorative justice,” says Deep Saini, Dal president. “I am deeply appreciative of the work of the Donald R. Sobey Foundation and Professor Llewellyn, who is making a vital contribution here in Nova Scotia and internationally to ensure a restorative approach to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community.”

Some of the ways the RRIELab will support justice transformation in communities, systems, institutions and organizations across Canada and beyond include:

• Providing strategic support for applying a restorative approach to diverse organizations • Leading research in restorative justice to demonstrate tangible outcomes and impact • Building capacity for growth and innovation in the use of a restorative approach • Designing education and training on a restorative approach • Creating a network of experts from around the world to collaborate and build knowledge • Supporting collaboration across sectors in government, community and the research community • Developing public education resources

• Being a home to the Smart Justice Network of Canada, which engages in non-partisan advocacy and knowledge mobilization for a smarter fairer justice system (smartjustice.ca).

PHOTO CREDIT: WILL YANG

Internationally, the RRIELab will lead the International Learning Community, a network of practitioners, policymakers and researchers supporting local communities and cities around the world committed to being “restorative communities.”

“The establishment of the RRIELab will position Dalhousie and, indeed, Nova Scotia, to become a global centre of restorative approaches to justice,” said Rob Sobey of the Donald R. Sobey Foundation, which first entered into partnership with the RRIELab to fund its chair in restorative justice in 2017. “Our foundation is incredibly inspired by and proud of Professor Llewellyn’s leadership. Advances in this field are needed now more than ever. This visionary work will now have a true home in Nova Scotia where it can be nurtured and grow to support international needs and focus areas.”