Katie Hail-Jares

Dr. Katie Hail-Jares is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University and a member of the Griffith Criminology Institute since 2016. Her academic career spans institutions in both Australia and the United States, with previous appointments at American University and Georgetown University. She holds a PhD from American University (2010-2015) and brings practical experience from her time as a Project Coordinator with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Dr. Hail-Jares' research focuses on understanding how criminalizing behavior impacts individual and community health, with particular emphasis on sex work, homelessness, and drug use. Her work examines wrongful convictions, incarceration consequences, and parole processes, often through the lens of marginalized populations. She employs community-involved research methods and has published extensively on couchsurfing among youth, queer homelessness, and the effects of gentrification on outdoor sex work.

Her recent publications (2021-2023) show a strong focus on vulnerable populations, particularly youth experiencing homelessness and LGBTQ+ individuals within the criminal justice system. She has published in journals including International Journal on Homelessness, Youth, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, and Social Problems, with recurring themes of social justice, policy implications, and health outcomes for marginalized communities.

Her notable awards include:

• The Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline from the American Sociological Association (2020)
• Ian Potter Foundation Travel Grant (2018)

Dr. Hail-Jares actively supervises doctoral students on topics related to imprisonment trends, homelessness pathways, and mental health of incarcerated populations. She has secured research funding from the Queensland Mental Health Commission, Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, and Brisbane Youth Service Inc. Her teaching responsibilities include convening the third-year capstone course and serving as Program Director for the Criminology and Criminal Justice (Honours) program.