Marie Tillyer

Marie Tillyer is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), part of the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP). Her research focuses on crime prevention, violence, victimization, and environmental criminology, with particular expertise in micro-place analysis and the intersection of urban planning with public safety.

Dr. Tillyer earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati and her B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Dayton. Her educational background has provided a strong foundation for her research on spatial aspects of crime and victimization.

Her research interests center on understanding the relationship between place, investment, and crime patterns. She has conducted extensive research on how physical property investments and code enforcement affect crime at micro-places, particularly in residential and commercial street segments. Her work often examines crime patterns across multiple U.S. cities using spatial analysis techniques. She has also made significant contributions to understanding victimization among college students, particularly at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, exploring both prevalence and psychological impacts of victimization experiences. Her recent work demonstrates how targeted investments in high-crime areas can maximize public safety benefits and how investment can mitigate criminogenic effects of commercial places.

Dr. Tillyer has secured significant research funding, including a $745,679 grant for studying the financial costs of victimization among college students at Minority Serving Institutions and a $458,679 grant for examining changes in crime hot spots across six U.S. cities. Her research has been presented at major conferences including the American Society of Criminology and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.

As an active researcher, Dr. Tillyer has published extensively in top criminology and interdisciplinary journals, with recent publications appearing in Cities, Journal of School Violence, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, and Justice Quarterly. Her work bridges criminology, urban planning, and public policy, offering practical insights for crime prevention and community development.