Lauren R. Shapiro

Dr. Lauren R. Shapiro is an Associate Professor in the Department of Security, Fire, and Emergency Management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY), where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including Security of Computers and their Data, Cyberpredators, and Emergency Planning. She holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive-Developmental Psychology from Rutgers University, an M.S. in Criminal Justice (Law) from Indiana State University, an M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Ohio University, and dual undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from the University of Buffalo.

Her research spans cybercrime victimization, human trafficking, juvenile justice, eyewitness testimony, and terrorism radicalization. She applies interdisciplinary approaches blending psychology, criminal justice, and security studies to address real-world problems in physical security and private investigation. Her work examines how criminal stereotypes influence perception and decision-making throughout the criminal justice system, the legal implications of cyberabuse targeting marginalized groups, and the radicalization pathways of women joining extremist organizations.

Dr. Shapiro has published extensively including the 2023 book Cyberpredators and their Prey, co-edited the Encyclopedia of Security and Emergency Management (2021), and co-authored Multidisciplinary Investigation of Child Maltreatment (2016). Her recent scholarship analyzes social media's role in cyberabuse, juvenile criminal stereotypes, and female radicalization to terrorism.

She has secured multiple research grants from John Jay College's OAR Funding Program and serves as Senior Personnel for the Bureau of Justice Assistance's National Training and Technical Assistance Program. Dr. Shapiro frequently consults with law enforcement agencies and provides professional training workshops on forensic interviewing techniques for child abuse cases, eyewitness testimony, and security personnel training regarding human trafficking indicators.

Her community engagement includes pro-bono consulting for the Bronx District Attorney's Office Child Abuse Unit and developing training programs for security personnel to identify trafficking victims in commercial spaces. She holds certificates from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Terrorism Awareness and Strategic Engagement.