Rob Tillyer

Dr. Rob Tillyer serves as Professor and Associate Dean of Student Success in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Texas at San Antonio's College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP). With a distinguished academic career focused on criminal justice system dynamics, Dr. Tillyer has established himself as a leading researcher in police decision-making, victimization patterns, and crime prevention strategies.

Dr. Tillyer earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, following an M.A. in Criminology from Simon Fraser University and a B.A. with Honors from the same institution. His educational background has provided a strong foundation for his research in criminal justice system operations and outcomes.

Dr. Tillyer's research interests span multiple critical areas of criminology and criminal justice, with particular emphasis on criminal justice system decision making, victimization patterns across different demographic groups, crime prevention strategies, and the dynamics of criminal events. His work frequently examines racial and ethnic disparities in policing practices, the effectiveness of various crime reduction strategies, and the complex relationship between victimization and offending behaviors. Notably, Dr. Tillyer has made significant contributions to understanding hot spots policing, officer decision-making during street stops, and the measurement of racial disparities in police-citizen encounters.

Analysis of Dr. Tillyer's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on methodological rigor in studying police practices and criminal justice outcomes. His work often employs sophisticated statistical techniques to examine complex relationships between officer characteristics, citizen demographics, and police actions. A significant portion of his research investigates how contextual factors influence police decision-making and crime patterns, with particular attention to geographic concentrations of crime and the sequential nature of police-citizen interactions. Dr. Tillyer's scholarship bridges theoretical criminology with practical implications for law enforcement agencies seeking to improve community relations while maintaining effective crime control.

Dr. Tillyer has contributed significantly to the field through his numerous publications in top-tier criminology and criminal justice journals, including Police Quarterly, Justice Quarterly, and the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency. His research has been instrumental in advancing methodological approaches to studying racial disparities in policing and has provided valuable insights for evidence-based policing practices.

As Associate Dean of Student Success, Dr. Tillyer plays a key leadership role in supporting student achievement within the College for Health, Community and Policy. His administrative responsibilities complement his scholarly work by connecting academic research to practical student outcomes and institutional effectiveness.