Marni Finkelstein

Marni Finkelstein is an Adjunct Professor in the Anthropology Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Her research focuses on homelessness, substance abuse, foster care systems, and youth vulnerability. She has conducted extensive ethnographic studies on street youth in New York City, including her book With No Direction Home. She has held roles as a research associate and project director on federally funded studies addressing HIV prevention, drug trafficking, and youth welfare.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, New School for Social Research (2001)
• M.A. in Anthropology, American University (1995)
• M.A. in Journalism, University of Maryland (1992)
• B.A. in Communications with a minor in Anthropology, Purdue University (1987)

Research Interests:

Dr. Finkelstein’s work bridges anthropology, criminology, and public health. She examines how systemic failures (e.g., foster care, education) impact marginalized youth populations. Her studies often involve ethnographic methods to document lived experiences of homelessness, substance abuse, and criminal justice involvement.

Scholarly Work Trends:

Her publications span 1993–2014, emphasizing themes like youth mobility, institutional barriers, and urban marginalization. Recent works (2000s–2014) focus on academic preparedness and foster care challenges, while earlier studies address environmental advocacy and media analysis.

Grants & Projects:

• NIDA-funded Heroin in the 21st Century Project
• National Institute of Justice (NIJ)-funded Lower East Side Drug Trafficking Study
• CDC-funded HIV prevention study with Montefiore Medical Center

Labs/Teams:

Collaborations include the Vera Institute of Justice (foster care studies) and Montefiore Medical Center (public health initiatives).