Ryan Shields

Ryan Shields is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the School of Criminology and Justice Studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He holds a Ph.D. from Florida State University (2013), an M.S. from the University of Baltimore (2008), and a B.S. from the same institution (2005). His work focuses on child sexual abuse prevention, public health approaches to criminal justice issues, and sex crime policy. He advocates for prevention over punitive measures, emphasizing rehabilitation for youthful offenders.

Notable projects include the Help Wanted intervention program, funded by Raliance, which provides mental health resources to prevent teens and young adults from committing child sexual abuse. His research also examines sentencing disparities, juvenile justice reform, and the impact of residence restrictions on sex offenders. Shields has received awards such as the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (2012) and the Joe Harris Memorial Teaching Fellowship (2011).

As a member of the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse at Johns Hopkins University, he studies risk factors and policy implications. He collaborates with institutions to advance applied research with real-world impacts, particularly in addressing societal challenges like sexual violence and punishment inequities.