2026 University of Regina Award of Excellence in Public Education and Outreach
For Dr. Amin Asfari, scholarship has its greatest impact when it moves beyond academic institutions and becomes a resource for the communities it serves.
An Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of Regina, Dr. Asfari is a dedicated public scholar whose research and community engagement address complex issues including Islamophobia, hate crimes, policing, and social justice. His commitment to making academic knowledge accessible and empowering communities has earned him the 2026 University of Regina Award of Excellence in Public Education and Outreach.
Making Research Accessible and Relevant
Dr. Asfari believes universities have a responsibility to translate research into meaningful public conversations. Through books, public lectures, media interviews, and community discussions, he helps audiences understand challenging social issues through evidence, critical reflection, and informed dialogue.
His scholarship includes The Nature of Islamophobia: Institutions, Individuals, and Trickle-Down Hate and the co-authored Jews and Muslims in the White Supremacist Conspiratorial Imagination. These works have informed public discussions about prejudice, hate crimes and mass shootings, and the ways in which anti-Muslim prejudice functions throughout contemporary society.
As a commentator for CBC and other media outlets, Dr. Asfari also brings research-informed perspectives to discussions about policing, public safety, and the social consequences of crime reporting.
Building Dialogue and Community Connections
Dr. Asfari’s commitment to public education extends well beyond media engagement.
His public lecture, Unravelling Conspiracy and Islamophobia, invited community members to examine how harmful narratives influence public attitudes. He also organized Race in the Line of Duty, revitalizing the Law Foundation Lecture Series and bringing together researchers, policing professionals, students, and community members to explore the relationship between race and policing.
Through partnerships with organizations such as the Dar-ul Falah Islamic Centre and the Regina Youth Leadership Institute, Dr. Asfari supports youth leadership, civic engagement, and community education.
He also serves on the Board of Directors of the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan, contributing his expertise to community-based justice initiatives.
Empowering Students and Communities
Central to Dr. Asfari’s approach is the belief that public education should create opportunities for people to participate meaningfully in conversations that affect their lives.
His community engagement enriches his university teaching, where students explore contemporary policy debates, critically examine media narratives, and connect criminological theory with real-world issues.
Student testimonials describe an educator and mentor who challenges assumptions, encourages thoughtful dialogue, and inspires students to recognize their capacity to contribute to positive social change.
His teaching philosophy reflects this commitment:
“Teaching is a form of community engagement and empowerment; it should connect people to scholarship and enable them to use knowledge in ways that best elevate their voices.”
Through his scholarship, mentorship, public education, and sustained community partnerships, Dr. Asfari demonstrates the transformative potential of research that is shared openly and developed through meaningful relationships.
His work exemplifies the spirit of the University of Regina Award of Excellence in Public Education and Outreach, strengthening connections between the University and the communities it serves.