Megan Welsh Carroll

Megan Welsh Carroll is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University (SDSU), part of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. She specializes in criminal justice, public administration, and social welfare systems, with a focus on issues of racial and gender justice, homelessness, and policing practices. She co-founded the Project for Sanitation Justice and co-leads the Homelessness Survival Strategies lab. Her work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to address systemic inequities and advocate for policy reforms.

Education

• PhD in Criminal Justice, CUNY Graduate Center & John Jay College of Criminal Justice (2015)
• MSW in Social Work, Temple University (2008)
• BA in Social Welfare, UC Berkeley (2005)

Research Interests

Dr. Welsh Carroll’s research examines how marginalized populations navigate carceral and welfare systems. Key areas include:

• Sanitation justice and public restroom access
• Racial disparities in policing and criminal justice systems
• Homelessness, policing, and systemic avoidance
• Policy interventions for vulnerable communities

Grants & Awards

Her research has been funded by grants such as the California Department of Public Health and the National Science Foundation. Notable awards include the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award (2023) and the Outstanding Dissertation Award (2015). She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributes to community advocacy efforts.

Labs & Initiatives

She directs the Project for Sanitation Justice (bathrooms.sdsu.edu) and collaborates on initiatives like the Homelessness Survival Strategies lab. These projects focus on data-driven advocacy for equitable policies addressing sanitation, homelessness, and systemic inequities.