Academic Title: Professor

Office: EA3058
E-mail: ksundberg@mtroyal.ca
Phone: 403.440.5646

Education:
PhD: Monash University
MA: Royal Roads University
BA: University of Victoria

About:

Dr Kelly W. Sundberg (Kelly) is a Professor of Criminology in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University, specializing in migration and border security. His research also addresses broader issues of public safety and security, including the development of standards and practices that strengthen resiliency across both public and private sectors.

Kelly is an internationally recognized scholar whose work is frequently cited by policymakers and featured in major news media. He has appeared on programs such as 60 Minutes (CBS News) and The Fifth Estate (CBC), and has been interviewed or referenced by Le Monde, The Globe and Mail, National Post, MSNBC, and every major Canadian broadcaster. He also contributes commentary and opinion editorials to publications such as The Hill Times, National Post, Calgary Herald, and Victoria Times Colonist.

He currently holds adjunct and visiting scholar appointments at the University of Calgary, the University of Adelaide, and the University of East London - also supervising PhD students at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. In addition to his academic roles, Kelly volunteers as an expert advisor to government and non-governmental organizations, including the Calgary Police Service (CPS), the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP), the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). He played a leading role in the development of ISO as an expert advisor on the ISO/TC 292 Security and Resilience technical committee.

Kelly is also the founding President of the SAFE Design Council, a federal not-for-profit organization that serves as the administrator and registrar for the Security Achieved through Functional Environmental Design Standard (S.A.F.E. Design Standard®)—the world’s first risk-informed CPTED certification program, recognized today by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia as the “industry standard” for crime reduction by design.

Before entering academia, Kelly served for over 15 years with what is now the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), where he held various uniformed, policy, advisory, and enforcement roles—primarily as an inland immigration enforcement officer. His public service was recognized with awards for his involvement in locating and recovering missing children, apprehending one of the US Marshals’ most wanted foreign fugitives, and other commendations for dedicated service.

Kelly holds a PhD in Political and Social Inquiry from Monash University, where his doctoral research compared Canadian and Australian immigration enforcement practices. He also earned a Master’s degree in Justice and Public Safety Leadership from Royal Roads University, where his thesis examined organizational culture within the CBSA, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Victoria.

Finally, Kelly has been qualified as an expert witness on matters related to border security and crime prevention in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. He continues to consult widely for public and private sector clients on issues relating to border security, public safety, and crime prevention.

Teaching Statement:

Kelly's teaching philosophy is shaped by a unique combination of professional experience and personal resilience. Prior to entering academia, he spent over 15 years in federal law enforcement, working in a range of operational, policy, and advisory roles. This background informs his applied teaching approach—grounding theory in real-world practice and fostering a classroom environment where academic learning is meaningfully connected to the challenges and responsibilities of the criminal justice field.

Equally influential to his pedagogy is his personal journey with dyslexia, which required him to develop adaptive learning strategies and cultivate a deep sense of perseverance. These experiences have instilled in Kelly a commitment to creating inclusive, supportive, and empowering learning environments where students and colleagues feel encouraged to overcome obstacles and realize their academic and professional potential.

In the classroom, Kelly emphasizes the practical application of theory, focusing on the development of critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. His goal is to equip students with the tools to make rational, informed, objective, and principled decisions—skills essential for navigating the complexities of contemporary criminal justice work.

Ultimately, Kelly constantly strives to prepare his students not only to understand criminal justice theory, but to apply it effectively and ethically in diverse, dynamic, and often challenging professional contexts. Through experiential learning, collaborative dialogue, and evidence-informed instruction, Kelly aims to inspire a sense of purpose, accountability, and public service in the next generation of justice professionals.

Selected Scholarly Activity:

Sundberg, K.W., Mitchell, L., & Levinson, D.M. (2023). "Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Jews in Canada and Around the World." Journal of Religion and Health. 17, 1-16.

Ferrill, J., Hale, G. & Sundberg, K. (2023). Border security in Alberta. In Security. Cooperation. Governance.: The Canada-United States Open Border Paradox. University of Michigan Press.

Leuprecht, C., Hataley, T. Sundberg, K., & Brunet-Jailly. (2023). The United States-Canada Security Community: A Case Study in Mature Border Management. In C. Leuprecht, T. Hateley, & E. Brunet-Jailly (Eds.) Patterns in Border Security: Regional Comparisons. New York, NY: Routledge

Leuprecht, C., Sundberg, K., Hataley, T. & Green, A. (2021). Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). In S. Carvin, T. Juneau, & C. Forcese (Eds.) Top Secret Canada: Understanding the Canadian Intelligence and National Security Community. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press

Sundberg, K.W. (2020). Security and Religion in the Modern, Neo-Liberal World. In P. Babie and R. Sarre (Eds.) Religion Matters. Singapore: Springer.

Selected Grants, Honours and Awards:

• 2022 - Co-investigator in a $250,000 "New Frontiers in Research" grant from the Government of Canada, studying the integration of technologies in emergency management.
• 2021 - Principal Investigator for a $100,000 crime reduction research grant from the Government of British Columbia, focusing on public perceptions of policing.
• 2020 - On behalf of the SAFE Design Council as its founding President, the Alberta Community Justice Award Innovation (Alberta Justice)

Link to Curriculum Vitae: here