Lois Presser

Lois Presser is a Professor of Sociology and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Tennessee in the College of Arts and Sciences. She earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice/Criminology from the University of Cincinnati (2002), an MBA from Yale University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University. Prior to her academic career, she worked for a decade in New York City’s criminal justice system.

• Education: Ph.D. (Criminal Justice/Criminology), University of Cincinnati; MBA, Yale University; B.S., Human Development and Family Studies, Cornell University

Dr. Presser’s research focuses on the role of language and narratives in social arrangements, particularly within criminal justice and restorative justice frameworks. She integrates cultural sociology and critical criminology to analyze how stories shape harmful actions and societal responses to crime. Her work has been published in leading journals such as Theoretical Criminology, Social Problems, and Signs, as well as influential books including Why We Harm and The Emerald Handbook of Narrative Criminology.

The recent articles and books authored or co-authored by Dr. Presser highlight a consistent focus on narrative criminology, critical theory, and the deconstruction of harmful social practices. Themes span from the narratives of incarcerated individuals to the structural role of storytelling in perpetuating or challenging injustice.

• Scientific Awards: Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, University of Tennessee (2020–2025)

Dr. Presser advises graduate students and contributes to academic discourse through her leadership as Director of Graduate Studies. She is currently developing a methodology to analyze what remains unsaid in textual narratives, furthering her commitment to innovative approaches in criminology and sociology.