From South Ontario to Cape Breton: Meet Dr. Dylan Reynolds

After having lived in South Ontario his entire life, Dr. Dylan Reynolds has made the move to become an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Department of L’nu, Political, and Social Studies at Cape Breton University. Thus far, he has enjoyed his time on the Island and can’t wait to start teaching at CBU this fall.

Dylan has a Master of Arts in Sociology from Queen’s University and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Guelph with research focusing on crime and social inequalities. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the number of identity theft cases in North America which has caught Dylan’s attention. During his research, he observed that some people are more at risk than others.

“I study the experiences and outcomes of identity theft victims and have found that some people have a lot of difficulties getting help from companies, banks and police after they’ve been victimized,” he explains. “I have performed quantitative research that found inequalities in victimization: victims who have higher incomes and more education are less likely to pay out of pocket for identity theft than victims with fewer resources to overcome it. I look forward to continuing my research by examining how banks, companies and police can better help identity theft victims and ensure they are assisting everyone, regardless of resources and background.”

At CBU, Dylan is set to teach courses that deal with quantitative research methods, criminology and sociology. He is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to share his experience and excitement about research with his students. As a faculty member, Dylan gets the opportunity to combine two of his passions. “I love that I get to teach bright and inquisitive students while also getting to continue to conduct meaningful research,” he says.

There was more than one reason Dylan chose to relocate from Ontario to Nova Scotia to teach at CBU. “CBU seemed like an amazing place to work, from the welcoming and supportive community to the opportunity to teach some of my favourite courses and smaller class sizes where interaction is possible,” he shares.

It hasn’t been a month since Dylan became a faculty member at CBU, but he has already felt welcomed in Cape Breton. “So far, everyone I have met has been welcoming, from staff, students and faculty, to business staff and passersby on sidewalks,” says Dylan. He is looking forward to learning more about the Island’s history and its communities, while also exploring the many trails in the area.”

While Dylan can’t wait to get started, he advises his future students to explore their interests and be honest if they are not keen on a course or program they are taking. He cites himself as someone who realized where his interests were only after beginning his undergraduate degree.

“Undergraduate studies can be a crazy and stressful time where students are still trying to figure out their interests and what they want to do after studying,” he says. “I started my undergraduate degree in biology and really struggled until I realized that my interests were in the social sciences. I encourage students to explore their interests and reach out when they are struggling to find interest in a course or discipline!”

We know Dylan’s students are lucky to have such a supporting instructor and are confident he will settle in perfectly here at CBU.