She received a B.A.Hons from the University of Regina, an M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and an M.L.S. (Master's of Legal Studies) from the University of Nebraska College of Law. Her work examines the influence of extra-legal information on mock juror decision-making in Canada, with an emphasis on race and gender. She also investigates juror decisions and attitudes in Not Criminally Responsible on account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD) trials.