Jose Atiles

Jose Atiles is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with courtesy appointments in the College of Law, Global Studies, Latina/Latino Studies, Political Science, and the Unit for Criticism and Interpretive Theory. He is also a Faculty Affiliate at the Center for Global Studies, the Center for Latin America and Caribbean Studies, and Women and Gender in Global Perspective.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Sociology of Law, University of Coimbra (Portugal)
• Ph.D. in Philosophy, University of the Basque Country (Spain)
• M.A. in Sociology of Law, International Institute for the Sociology of Law, Oñati
• B.A., University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

His research lies at the intersection of law, politics, and colonialism, with a focus on Puerto Rico. He investigates how emergency powers, corruption, and state-corporate crime perpetuate colonial inequality and democratic deficits. His work employs qualitative methods including ethnography, case studies, historical analysis, and critical discourse analysis.

His recent publications span journals like The British Journal of Criminology, Regulation & Governance, and Environmental Politics, revealing a strong thematic focus on state crime, environmental injustice, colonial legality, and economic sanctions. His book Crisis by Design: Emergency Powers and Colonial Legality in Puerto Rico (Stanford University Press, 2025) is a key contribution to the field.

Scientific Awards:

• Illinois Leaders Sponsorship Program (2025)
• Lincoln Excellence for Assistant Professors (LEAP) Scholar (2024–2026)
• Illinois Student Government Teaching Excellence Award (2022)
• Winner, Critical Criminology Journal Article of the Year 2023
• Highly Commended Article, The Sociological Review (2023)

Dr. Atiles has received research support from the Campus Research Board and the Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities. He teaches courses such as Criminology, Sociology of Law, and Law and Society at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He advises on interdisciplinary research and is involved in multiple collaborative academic networks focused on global justice, Latin America, and colonial studies.

He is actively engaged in research projects on tax havens, fossil capital, and the legal architecture of empire, with two book manuscripts currently in progress.