Shannon Womer Phaneuf

Dr. Shannon Womer Phaneuf is a Professor and Assistant Chair in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), affiliated with the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs. She holds a PhD (2006) and MA (1998) in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, and a BA (1994) in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University.

Her research focuses on school violence and security, criminological theory, corrections, crime prevention, and criminal justice ethics. Notable works include her book Security in Schools: Its Effect on Students and contributions to peer-reviewed journals such as Criminal Justice Policy Review and Prison Journal. Her recent publication Mass Shootings: Understanding the Complexities (2023) explores societal and policy dimensions of mass violence.

Dr. Phaneuf's scholarly contributions emphasize evidence-based policy solutions and ethical considerations in criminal justice. She serves as a key academic leader at IUP, contributing to departmental governance as Assistant Chair.