Dean Adams

Dean Adams is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology, Law, and Justice at the University of Illinois Chicago's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research examines how race, dis/ability, and ableism manifest in educational institutions through frameworks like DisCrit. Adams holds a Ph.D. in Special Education with concentrations in Women and Gender Studies, and Disability Studies from Syracuse University.

His scholarly interests focus on:

• Critical race theory and disability studies intersections
• Analysis of the school-to-prison pipeline
• Behavior management in educational settings
• Use of adversives in youth institutions
• Carceral system impacts on youth

Adams' publications explore confinement technologies, carceral logics in education, and disability rights. His research employs interdisciplinary approaches to critique institutional power structures and advocate for marginalized populations.