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I received my PhD in Sociology from York University, my MA in Sociology from the University of Windsor, and my BA in Psychology from Carleton University.
Prior to joining Laurier, I was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at York University. Before completing my doctorate, I worked for six years as a Probation Officer and a Correctional Centre Caseworker in Alberta.
My more recent research projects have focused on women in policing (“police mothers”), police cultures, gendered violence, security networks, and critical eating dis/order studies. Earlier projects centered on families and intimate relations and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Critical theorizing, discourse analysis, and other qualitative methodologies guide my research.
- Merit Awards, Wilfrid Laurier University (2015 & 2024).
- The University-Wide Teaching Award for Full-Time Faculty, Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning, York University (2008).
- Merit Award, York University (2005).
- The John O’Neill Award for Teaching Excellence, Department of Sociology, York University (2001).
Chapters in Books
- Godderis, R., Langan, D., & Oliver, M. (2024). The messiness of applying feminist research principles: Reflections on researching university students’ experiences of rape culture. In C. Carter and C. Temple Jones (Eds.), Contemporary Vulnerabilities: Reflections on Social Justice Methodologies (pp. 85-98). University of Alberta Press.
- Langan, D., Sanders, C. B., & Thompson, D. E. (2023). Examining the Experiences of Canadian Women Police During COVID-19: A Liminal Space for Cultural Change. In H. Conley & P. Koskinen Sandberg (Eds.), Handbook on Gender and Public Sector Employment (pp. 336-348). Edward Edgar Publishing.
- Oliver, M., Godderis, R., & Langan, D. (2020). Alternative Practices and Politics of Care: Women Students’ Experiences of Rape Culture and Sexualized Violence on Campus. In D. Crocker, J. Minaker, & A. Nelund (Eds.) Violence Interrupted: Confronting Sexual Violence on University Campuses (pp. 69-86). McGill-Queen’s University Press.
- Sanders, C. B., Langan, D., Rozad, K., & Knipe, T. (2019). Nodal Governance and Technologies of Control: One Approach to Risk Mitigation in Ontario. In Hannem, S., Sanders, C. B., Schneider, C. J., Doyle, A., & Christensen, T. (Eds.) Security and Risk Technologies in Criminal Justice: Critical Perspectives (pp. 110-137). Canadian Scholars Press.
- Langan, D. and Morton, M. (2014). Reflecting on Community/Academic 'Collaboration': The Challenge of /Doing/ Feminist Participatory Action Research. In R. Berman (Ed.), Corridor Talk: Canadian Feminist Scholars Share Stories of Research Partnerships (17-38). Inanna Publications. (This chapter was originally published in 2009 in Action Research, 7:2 (June): pp. 165-184).
- Langan, D. (2012). Mothering in the Middle and Self Care: Just One More Thing To Do. In L. Podnieks (Ed.), Mediating Moms: Mothering in Popular Culture (268-283). McGill-Queen’s University Press. (This book was awarded the Outstanding Scholarship Prize [2012-2013] by the Women’s and Gender Studies Association, part of Canada’s Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences).
- Langan, D. and Deborah D. (2010). Rethinking Intimate Questions: Intimacy as Discourse. In N. Mandell & A. Duffy (Eds.), Canadian Families: Diversity, Conflict and Change (4th ed., pp. 33-60). Nelson Education Limited (This chapter was updated with new material from our originally published chapter in the 3rd ed. of the same book, 2005).
- Langan, D., Sheese, R., & Davidson, D. (2009). Constructive Teaching and Learning: Collaboration in a Sociology Classroom. In J. Mezirow & E. Taylor (Eds.), Transformative Learning in Practice: Insights from Community, Workplace, and Higher Education (pp. 46-56). Jossey-Bass.
- Langan, D. (2009). Roll On Down the Highway. In G. Letherby & G. Reynolds (Eds.), Gendered Journeys, Mobile Emotions (pp. 79-82). Ashgate Publishing.
- Langan, D. (2001). Talking About Violence Against Women: Deconstructing Uncontested Discourses. In K. Hunt & C. Saulnier (Eds.), Feminism(s) on the Edge of the Millennium: Rethinking Foundations and Future Debates (pp. 87-106). Inanna Publications and Education Inc.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
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Schott, N., Langan, D., & Janes, J. (forthcoming 2025). Critical Eating Dis/Order Studies: Madly Questioning Eating Orders. International Mad Studies Journal (in production). (We are the editors of this Special Issue, and the authors of the opening article with the same title).
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Schott, N., & Langan, D. (2024). Moving Beyond Recovery: Exposing and Disrupting the Eating Dis/order Industrial Complex. International Mad Studies Journal, 2(1), 1-21. https://imsj.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/imsj/issue/view/543
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Thompson, D. E., Langan, D., & Sanders, C. B. (2023). Policemen, COVID-19, and Police Culture: Navigating the Pandemic with Colleagues, the Public, and Family. Policing & Society, 33(1), 18-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2022.2080826
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Sanders, C. B., Gouweloos, J., & Langan, D. (2022). Gender, Police Culture, and Structured Ambivalence: Navigating ‘Fit’ with the Brotherhood, Boys’ Club, and Sisterhood. Feminist Criminology, 17(5), 641-660. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15570851221098040
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Sanders, C. B. & Langan, D. (2021). Collaboration Consequences: New Public Management and Police-Academic Partnerships. Journal of Applied Social Science, 15(2), 241-257. https://doi.org/10.1177/1936724420984378
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Sanders, C. B. & Langan, D. (2019). New Public Management and the Extension of Police Control: Community Safety and Security Networks in Canada. Policing and Society: An International Journal, 29(5), 566-578.
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Langan, D., Sanders, C. B., & Gouweloos, J. (2019). Policing Women's Bodies: Pregnancy, Embodiment, and Gender Relations in Canadian Police Work. Feminist Criminology, 14(4), 466-487.
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Langan, D., Sanders, C. B., & Gouweloos, J. (2018). Danger-protection mothering practices: How work and home influence the parenting of women police officers. International Journal of Birth and Parent Education, 5(4), 11-16.
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Langan, D., Sanders, C. B., & Agocs, T. (2017). Canadian Police Mothers and the Boys’ Club: Pregnancy, Maternity Leave and Returning to Work. Women & Criminal Justice, 27(4), 235-249.
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Schott, N., Spring, L. & Langan, D. (2016). Neoliberalism, Pro-ana/mia Websites, and Pathologizing Women: Using Performance Ethnography to Challenge Psychocentrism. Studies in Social Justice, 10(1), 95-115.
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Langan, D., Schott, N., Wykes, T., Szeto, J., Kolpin, S., Lopez, C., & Smith, N. (2016). Students’ Use of Technology in the University Classroom: Analysing the Perceptions of the Digital Generation. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 25(1), 101-117.
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Langan, D., Hannem, S., & Stewart, C. (2016). Deconstructing Accounts of Intimate Partner Violence: Doing Interviews, Identities, and Neoliberalism. Applied Linguistics, 37(2), 219-238.
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Schott, N., and Langan, D. (2015). Pro-anorexia/bulimia censorship and public service announcements: The price of controlling women. Media, Culture & Society, 37(8), 1158-1175.
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Hannem, S., Langan, D., and Stewart, C. (2015). “Every couple has their fights…”: Stigma and Subjective Narratives of Verbal Violence. Deviant Behavior, 36(5), 388-404.
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Agocs, T., Langan, D., & Sanders, C. B. (2015). Police Mothers at Home: Police Work and Danger-Protection Parenting Practices. Gender & Society, 29(2), 265-289.
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Stewart, C., Langan, D., & Hannem, S. (2013). Victim Experiences and Perspectives on Police Responses to Verbal Violence in Domestic Settings. Feminist Criminology, 8(4), 269-294.
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Langan, D., & Morton, M. (2009). Through the Eyes of Farmers’ Daughters: Academics Working on Marginal Land. Women’s Studies International Forum, 32(6), 395-405.
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Langan, D., & Morton, M. (2009). Reflecting on Community/Academic “Collaboration”: The Challenge of /Doing/ Feminist Participatory Action Research. Action Research, 7(2), 165-184.
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Langan, D., Oliver, M., & Atkinson, L. (2007). The Political is Personal: TAs on the Front Lines of the Critical Consciousness Campaign. Radical Pedagogy, 9(1), Article 2.
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Davidson, D., & Langan, D. (2006). The Breastfeeding Incident: Teaching and Learning Through Transgression. Studies in Higher Education, 31(4), 439-452.
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Langan, D., & Davidson, D. (2005). Critical Pedagogy and Personal Struggles: Feminist Scholarship Outside Women’s Studies. Feminist Teacher, 15(2), 132-158.
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Langan, D. (2004). Using Mothering at Work: Embracing the Contradictions in Pedagogy and Praxis. Journal of the Association for Research on Mothering: Mothering and Work/Mothering as Work, 6(2), 27-35.
Non-Reviewed Publications
Audio Podcast
Langan, D., & Sanders, C. B. (Executive Producers). (2022). Women in Policing: The Challenges Facing Equity and Inclusion Initiatives (Episode 13). With host and producer Avery Moore Kloss, Podcaster-in-Residence at the Centre for Research on Security Practices (CRSP), Wilfrid Laurier University.https://crsp-talk.simplecast.com/episodes/women-in-policing-the-challenges-facing-equity-and-inclusion-initiatives
Research Reports
Langan, D., Sanders, C. B., & Thompson, D. E. (2021). COVID-19: Examining the Experiences of Canadian Women in Law Enforcement During the Pandemic. A report based on a research partnership with the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement, funded by SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant.
Langan, D., Sanders, C. B., Gouweloos, J., & Cartmell, C. (2019). Gender, Policing and Inclusion: Opportunities for Change. A report from the 2-day international workshop - “Recruiting, Retaining, and Promoting Women Police Officers: An International Comparison of Challenges and Opportunities for Change Workshop.” https://680acb0e-e46f-4cd1-8358-dbe0f4056fbf.filesusr.com/ugd/d885b4_6fa2dbea19474373ac609b6bcfb6b1da.pdf
Langan, D., Sanders, C. B., & Gouweloos, J. (2018). [for an Ontario Police Service] Report on Gender in Policing: a Focus on Recruitment, Retention, and Promotion.
Langan, D., Barka, K., Coomber, N., Eggett, H., VanEvery, L., & Volpe, C. (2018). Understanding the Experiences of Brantford Youth When They Want Services. A report prepared for Brantford Youth and the City of Brantford’s Children and Youth Services Committee.
Langan D., Sanders, C. B., & Gouweloos, J. (2017). [for an Ontario Police Service] Report on Gender in Policing: a Focus on Recruitment, Retention, and Promotion.
Oliver, M., Langan, D., & Godderis, R. (2015). Confronting Rape Culture and Resistance to Anti-Violence Discourse: Methodological Challenges and Student Training. A report prepared for the Wilfrid Laurier University Gendered Violence Taskforce.
Sanders, C. B., Langan, D., & Rozad, K. (2015). No More Silos’ Survey Report. Community Risk Identified Situations Intervention Strategy (CRISIS) Table Conference Evaluation Questionnaire. A report prepared for the Brantford Police Service.
Langan, D., Atkinson, L., Mizuguchi, T., Park, J., Raine, L., Teixeira, R., & Tuey, C. (2007). Working Together: Enhancing Collaboration in Tutorials. TA Resource Handbook, Department of Sociology, York University.
Langan, D. and Morton, M. (1998). Region of Peel Emergency Response Sexual Assault Protocol Implementation Project: Training and Implementation Report.
Articles in Trade Magazines
Researchers share actionable document on women in law enforcement during the pandemic. Blue Line: Canada’s National Law Enforcement Magazine, 15 February, 2022. https://www.blueline.ca/researchers-share-actionable-document-on-women-in-law-enforcement-during-the-pandemic/
Researchers share actionable document on gender, policing and inclusion. Blue Line: Canada’s National Law Enforcement Magazine, September 05, 2019. https://www.blueline.ca/researchers-share-actionable-document-on-gender-policing-and-inclusion/
Recruiting, Retaining, and Promoting Women Police Officers conference seeks evidence-based solutions. Blue Line: Canada’s National Law Enforcement Magazine, May 01, 2019.
Langan, D., Sanders, C. B., & Gouweloos, J. (2018). Policing and mothering: The combined challenges of work and home. Blue Line: Canada’s National Law Enforcement Magazine, 30, 3 (March 16): 18-19. http://magazine.blueline.ca/publication/?i=480231&ver=html5&p=18
Langan, D. (2012). Challenging "Nothing Works" Conclusions: Community Policing Philosophies and Practices in Action. The BLUEPRINT: Ontario Association of Law Enforcement Planners Semi-Annual Newsletter, Issue 05 (Summer):6. http://oalep.ca/images/documents/blueprint-summer-2012.pdf
In the News
Langan, D. 2014. “Under the Gun: How Does Being a Police Officer Affect Mothering?” Gender & Society social media blog to promote published article (Agocs, Langan & Sanders 2014). https://gendersociety.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/under-the-gun/
Hess, Amanda. (2014, July 14). Let them Blog: The panic over pro-anorexia websites and social media isn’t healthy. Slate. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com
Evans, Robert. (2017, February 11). The Bizarre World of the Pro Anorexia Internet Community. Cracked. Retrieved from http://www.cracked.com/personal-experiences-2452-a-look-inside-disturbingly-large-pro-anorexia-community.html
Wilfrid Laurier University Website. (2017, March 24). Laurier research points to continuing prevalence of “boys’ club” in policing. Retrieved from https://www.wlu.ca/news/spotlights/2017/march/laurier-research-points-to-continuing-prevalence-of-boys-club-in-policing.html
Gillis, Wendy. (2017, April 17). Study highlights barriers faced by police officers who become mothers. The Toronto Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2017/04/17/study-highlights-barriers-faced-by-police-who-become-mothers.html
Gillis, Wendy. (2017, April 17). Study highlights barriers faced by police officers who become mothers. The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved from http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7246765-study-highlights-barriers-faced-by-police-officers-who-become-mothers/
CBC News. (2017, April 20). Pregnant police officers penalized, Wilfrid Laurier report says. CBC Kitchener – Waterloo. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/pregnant-police-officers-penalized-wilfrid-laurier-report-says-1.4077477
CTV News Television Interview, CP24 Toronto, with Nathan Downer (3:15 p.m. - April 18, 2017).
CBC Radio Interview, Ottawa, All in a Day with Alan Neal (4:45 p.m. - 2017, April 18, 2017).
CTV News Television Interview Excerpt, CP24 Toronto, Ask the Chief with Stephanie Smyth (8:55 p.m. - April 18, 2017).
CBC Radio Interview, Kitchener-Waterloo, The Morning Edition- K-W, with Craig Norris (8:15 a.m. – April 20, 2017).
Laurier News Hub, International Laurier conference to focus on recruitment, retention and promotion of women police officers, (April 24, 2019). https://www.wlu.ca/news/news-releases/2019/april/international-laurier-conference-to-focus-on-recruitment-retention-and-promotion-of-women-police-officers.html
Contact Info:
Office location: GRH 133
Languages spoken: English