Jessica Laus

Jessica Laus grew up in the great city of Detroit, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wayne State University, a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, and she worked in the field of international diplomacy for well over five years. Jessica’s research interests include youth peacebuilders, systems transformation, and the great City of Detroit. A practitioner and advocate of restorative practices and Kingian Nonviolence, she is most proud of her work cultivating youth leadership in New Jersey and Winnipeg. An important part of Jessica’s praxis has been to learn from and with community, particularly youth, and she has engaged in participatory action research through the guise of community organizing and advocacy for the better part of her academic and professional career. Jessica is committed to co-creating spaces where all youth feel that they belong, where their sense of agency and leadership are valued, and where they can cultivate and experience joy on their own terms.