Alicia Nijdam-Jones
Dr. Nijdam-Jones is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada.
Psychology, Law, and Culture Lab
Research in the Psychology, Law, and Culture Lab is directed by Dr. Alicia Nijdam-Jones, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Manitoba, transitioning to Simon Fraser University in January 2026.
Culturally Safe & Responsive Forensic Practice
We work to transform forensic mental health services so they are culturally safe, accessible, and responsive to diverse populations. Our research examines how culture, language, and intersecting identities shape client experiences and outcomes, and how services can better address inequities. Partnering with people with lived experience, Indigenous communities, and interdisciplinary stakeholders, we co-design and evaluate services, policies, and training that drive systemic change.
Forensic Assessment & Decision-Making
We investigate how forensic assessment measures are applied in legal, review board, and clinical contexts. This includes testing their validity, fairness, and predictive utility with culturally and linguistically diverse groups, and auditing how decisions align with (or diverge from) best practice guidelines and empirical evidence. Our work spans court case reviews, applied studies in hospitals and prisons, and analysis of large datasets to identify patterns, gaps, and opportunities for more equitable decision-making.
Consumer-Centred Service Evaluation
We study how people engage with forensic mental health services and how those services meet their needs. Prioritizing the perspectives of clients, families, and communities, we assess barriers, facilitators, and outcomes that matter to service users. In collaboration with individuals with lived experience, Indigenous partners, and interdisciplinary teams, we develop evaluations that inform policy, program design, and service delivery, ensuring systems reflect the voices of those most affected.
Department of Psychology
190 Dysart Road
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada R3T 2N2
PLC Lab 