Sheila Maxwell

Sheila Maxwell is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University, holding a PhD from Rutgers University, MS from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and BS from Xavier University (Philippines). Her research examines cultural/structural dimensions of offending behaviors and attitudes toward law, with emphasis on applying Western criminological theories in non-Western contexts—particularly the Philippines.

Her work spans two key domains: within the U.S., she analyzes court-mandated intervention programs and sanctioning efficacy; internationally, she investigates antisocial behaviors among Filipino youth, crime mitigation in slum interventions, and life-history techniques for understanding risk-taking and insurgency participation. This interdisciplinary approach bridges criminology, sociology, and global development studies.

Dr. Maxwell has secured major funding from:

• National Science Foundation
• National Institute of Justice
• U.S. Department of State
• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
• Council for International Exchange of Scholars

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Fulbright Research Fellowship to the Philippines (2004)
• NIDA Pre-doctoral Fellowship

Publications appear in Criminology, Crime and Delinquency, Criminology and Public Policy, and Journal of Criminal Justice, reflecting expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies. She maintains active affiliations with MSU's Center for Gender in Global Context and continues directing federally funded research projects in international criminology.