Rachael Rief

Rachael Rief, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of North Texas. Her research focuses on gender equity in policing, criminal justice risk assessment methodologies, and juvenile justice outcomes for marginalized youth. She actively contributes to policy discussions through symposium analyses and program evaluations.

Her work integrates interdisciplinary perspectives from criminology, gender studies, and organizational behavior. Notable research areas include reforming police recruitment/retention practices, addressing biases in actuarial tools, and evaluating intervention programs such as Memphis's Group Violence Initiative.

Rief has published extensively on gendered experiences in policing, including studies based on summits like the IAWP Gender-Responsive Policing Summit. Her articles highlight systemic barriers faced by women in law enforcement and propose actionable strategies for institutional change. Her recent work emphasizes the need for transparent risk assessment frameworks and equitable policy implementation.