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Growing up in Jamaica and then volunteering at the Elizabeth Fry Society in Canada, I saw firsthand how the justice system fails incarcerated youth. That drive to understand the system led me to apply for the PURE Award. When I got accepted, I was excited for about five minutes, then panicked, "I actually have to do research!" That panic changed when I began diving into my data and conversations. I realized the solution to helping these youth lie in what I call ‘Ordinary Magic.’ It’s the everyday collaboration among systems - parents, teachers, probation officers, etc., coming together to build resilience and provide support in overcoming post-incarceration adversity and successfully transition back to school. This is the transformative change these youth need. 

The hardest part is that there's barely any Canadian literature on this. Education is the number one protective factor in reducing recidivism, yet the system is so disconnected. The education and justice system follow top-down decision-making that often excludes youth voices. For example, a student might be denied re-entry because a principal deems them ‘high risk’ and values the reputation of their institution. These institutions prey on incarcerated youths' past and not their future. The literature also rarely includes the voices of those directly affected. That gap is exactly what motivates my work. I want to make sure youth voices are not an afterthought but the starting point. 

My advice for a new researcher? Know that ordinary magic applies to researchers too. Don't be afraid. Be curious. Lean on your support network. You got accepted for a reason.