Tara Shelley

Tara Shelley is a Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Tarleton State University's College of Liberal and Fine Arts. She directs the Criminology and Criminal Justice Study Abroad program in Prague and serves on multiple university committees including the Institutional Review Board and Faculty Senate. Her research focuses on intimate partner violence, environmental crime, drug policy, and gender issues in policing.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida State University (2006)
• M.S. in Justice, Law and Society, The American University (1997)
• B.A. in Government, The University of Redlands (1995)

Shelley's research spans several interconnected areas within criminology and criminal justice. Her primary focus is on intimate partner violence, particularly non-fatal strangulation incidents, where she has led major federally-funded studies through the National Institute of Justice. She also conducts significant research on environmental crime and victimization, especially related to oil and gas development. Another key area examines gender dynamics in policing, including barriers women face in law enforcement careers. Her work on procedural justice explores citizen perceptions of law enforcement and satisfaction with police services. She has published extensively on pharmacy robbery and drug-related crime, often taking an offender perspective approach to understanding criminal behavior.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research that bridges criminal justice, environmental studies, and gender studies. The articles show increasing focus on environmental victimization and the intersection of resource extraction with community harm, alongside continued work on intimate partner violence and policing issues.

Scientific Awards:

• University Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award, Tarleton State University (2020)
• College Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award, College of Liberal and Fine Arts (2020)
• Fulbright Scholar, U.S. Department of State (2019-2020)
• Excellence Award, One Safe Place (2019)
• Recipient of College of Liberal Arts Excellence in Teaching, Colorado State University (2015)
• Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Teaching Award (2010)

Shelley has successfully secured over $677,000 in external funding as Principal Investigator, including two major National Institute of Justice grants examining intimate partner violence related strangulation and illegal marijuana markets in North Texas. She has advised numerous undergraduate and graduate students on research projects, with several students co-authoring presentations and publications with her. Her community engagement includes developing professional development training for domestic violence awareness and collaborating with local organizations like One Safe Place.

She founded and directs the Criminology and Criminal Justice Study Abroad program in Prague, creating international research and educational opportunities for students. Her professional service includes committee work at the university level and active participation in academic conferences where she frequently presents her research findings.