Bianca Bersani

Bianca Bersani, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland, College Park. She holds a Ph.D. from the same institution and prior degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research focuses on life course criminology, with emphasis on emerging adulthood, desistance/persistence in offending, and the immigrant-crime nexus. She directs the Maryland Crime Research and Innovation Center (MCRIC) and previously led the CCJS Honors Program from 2019-2024. Dr. Bersani was honored with the Winston Family Faculty Honors Award (2023), recognizing her exceptional mentorship of undergraduate students.

Her work integrates innovative methodologies to study behavioral change mechanisms, particularly among marginalized populations. Notable projects explore how developmental factors during emerging adulthood influence criminal engagement and vice versa. She also investigates intergenerational immigrant offending disparities and the role of socio-historical context in shaping criminal trajectories.

Dr. Bersani has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, fostering their research capabilities through hands-on mentorship. Her contributions bridge academic research with practical criminal justice strategies, aiming to reduce crime through evidence-based interventions.