David J. Harding

David J. Harding is a Professor and Department Chair at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in poverty, inequality, incarceration, and prisoner reentry. His research integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to explore issues such as neighborhood effects, criminal justice system impacts, and social policy. Harding leads the Prisoner Reentry Research project, focusing on post-release reintegration challenges and systemic barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals.

His key works include After Prison (2020) and On the Outside (2019), which examine pathways to reintegration, employment, and health for returning prisoners. Harding's research also addresses collateral consequences of imprisonment, including labor market exclusion and recidivism trends. He has collaborated extensively with policymakers to inform evidence-based reforms in criminal justice and social welfare systems.

Harding's interdisciplinary approach spans sociology, criminology, and public policy. His recent studies analyze the long-term effects of incarceration on communities, the role of family and social networks in reentry, and the intersection of race and criminal justice involvement. He is a sought-after commentator on issues like mass incarceration and educational access for marginalized populations.