Shana L. Maier

Shana L. Maier, PhD, is a Professor and Director of the MCJ Program at Widener University's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds affiliations with Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies and Clinical Psychology & Criminal Justice dual-degree programs. Her research focuses on sexual violence dynamics, victim advocacy systems, juror decision-making, and drug policy impacts. Dr. Maier has published extensively in journals like Violence Against Women and Feminist Criminology, and authored the book Rape, Victims, and Investigations (Routledge, 2014).

Education: PhD in Sociology (University of Delaware, 2004); MA and BS in Criminal Justice (St. Joseph's University, PA, 1998-1999). She has received multiple research awards including Widener's 2022 Outstanding Researcher Award. Her work often engages undergraduate researchers, emphasizing practical academic training.

Key research areas include rape victim treatment by criminal justice systems, mock jurors' comprehension of sentencing factors, and marijuana legalization effects. She has been featured in media discussions about sexual assault cases and judicial decision-making biases. Dr. Maier's grants include a 2019-2020 Provost's Grant for exploring student fear of crime on campuses.

Awards:

• 2022 Outstanding Researcher Award (Widener)
• 2021 Social Science Faculty Excellence Award
• 2010 College of Arts & Science Research Award

Her recent work examines #MeToo movement inclusivity for male survivors and veteran defendants' juror perception. Dr. Maier co-leads the Widener Criminal Justice Research Initiative and advises the university's Victim Advocacy Task Force.