Shelly McGrath

Shelly McGrath is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on intimate partner violence, fear and perceived risk of victimization, and domestic violence advocacy, particularly in rural areas. She holds a PhD in Sociology from Southern Illinois University, with prior degrees from Ball State University and Saint Mary’s College. McGrath teaches courses including Crime and Criminality, Criminology, and Juvenile Justice System, and has contributed to grants addressing community safety initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Her international comparative research explores relationships between citizen satisfaction with local policing and perceived safety. McGrath has pioneered work on crime mapping using GIS technology to analyze campus crime patterns and advocate accessibility in rural regions. She has served on over 100 teaching assignments since 2011, including graduate committee roles. Notable publications span journals like Violence and Victims, Deviant Behavior, and Security Journal, with a focus on criminological theory, victimology, and interdisciplinary applications.

McGrath’s recent work examines gender differences in victim fear dynamics using national data and explores opioid crisis impacts. She emphasizes policy implications of her findings, bridging academic research with practical crime prevention strategies. Though no formal awards are listed, her extensive publication record reflects sustained contributions to criminological discourse.