Vanessa Panfil

Vanessa Panfil is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University's College of Arts and Letters. Her research examines LGBTQ experiences in criminological contexts, particularly focusing on gang involvement, queer identities, and sex-positive criminology. Dr. Panfil holds a PhD in Criminal Justice from SUNY Albany.

Her publications employ qualitative methods to explore intersectional identities in criminal justice settings. Research topics include gay gang membership, feminist frameworks for understanding female offenders, and queer methodological approaches. She advocates for legal and social reform through sex-positive criminological perspectives.