Dr. Amy Reckdenwald is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Central Florida (UCF), affiliated with the Violence Against Women Cluster and the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention’s National Advisory Committee. She specializes in violent victimization, domestic violence, and homicide, with a focus on gender inequality, geographic factors, and policy interventions. Dr. Reckdenwald holds a Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of Florida, an M.A. in Criminology from the University of South Florida, and a B.S. in Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University. Her research emphasizes improving legal and medical responses to nonfatal strangulation in domestic violence cases, analyzing gendered patterns in intimate partner homicide, and evaluating how economic deprivation, resource availability, and geographic location influence violence outcomes. Key themes include evidence-based prosecution strategies, policy effectiveness, and interdisciplinary collaboration between law enforcement, healthcare, and advocacy systems. Her work has appeared in top journals such as Criminology , Violence Against Women , and Homicide Studies . She teaches courses on criminology, murder, domestic violence, research methods, and statistics. Dr. Reckdenwald collaborates with organizations to address systemic gaps in domestic violence prevention and response, particularly in underserved regions. Her research bridges academic theory with practical policy solutions to reduce victimization and improve justice outcomes for survivors.
Kaitlin Boyle is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina's McCausland College of Arts and Sciences . Her research focuses on interpersonal violence, gender inequality, and mental health consequences of trauma. Ph.D. in Sociology (2016), University of Georgia M.A. in Sociology (2011), University of North Carolina Charlotte B.A. in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies (2008), The College of New Jersey Dr. Boyle's work examines how cultural gender norms influence sexual assault labeling , victim identity formation , and emotional consequences . She also investigates intimate partner violence , campus violence reporting , and policy impacts on victim outcomes. Recent publications focus on gendered violence dynamics (2020-2025), analyzing topics like masculinity threat , racialized violence , and digital sexual abuse . Key themes include identity theory , routine activity theory , and intersectional analysis .
Dr. Ben Colliver is an Associate Professor in Criminology at Birmingham City University , where he also serves as the Subject Lead for Criminology & Policing . His research addresses transgender and non-binary communities , focusing on discrimination, hate crime, and online interactions . He holds a PhD in Criminology from Kingston University, an MSc in Criminology and Social Research Methods from London Southbank University, and a BA in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies from the University of Greenwich. Areas of Expertise: Intersectional criminology, LGBTQ+ advocacy, hate crime policy Teaching: Encompasses pupil referral units, colleges, and university settings Publications: 15 most recent works explore transphobia, queer spaces, and institutional failures Advocacy: Active in LGBTQ+ support services, focusing on education and healthcare reforms Research Trends in his publications emphasize intersectionality in hate crime analysis, digital spaces as sites of discrimination, and gender-based violence in intimate contexts. His work bridges criminological theory with social justice practices , particularly in policing and urban planning. Teaching and Supervision includes postgraduate mentorship, though specific student names are not listed in the provided text.
Miguel Quintana-Navarrete is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society at the University of California, Irvine, with a secondary affiliation in Sociology. His interdisciplinary research focuses on extreme violence, criminal justice systems, and inequalities, primarily in Latin America and the Global South. Ph.D. in Sociology, Harvard University (2020) M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, King’s College London B.A. in Law (J.D. equivalent), Universidad de Sonora His research spans topics such as gun violence in Los Angeles, forced disappearances, homicides, and intimate partner violence in Mexico, alongside systemic inequalities in criminal justice systems across Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. He also investigates public defense institutions in Latin America. Prior to his current role, he worked as a research assistant at CIDE (Mexico City), contributing to victimization surveys and prison population studies, and served as a Law Clerk in Sonora, Mexico’s judiciary.
Amy Chanmugam, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and a member of the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) . Her work focuses on trauma-informed social work practice, family systems, and interventions for survivors of violence. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin; B.A. in Psychology and German Literature from Vassar College Amy Chanmugam’s research explores intimate partner violence , with emphasis on child/adolescent exposure , firearm-related risks , and survivor-defined recovery . She examines shelter-based family interventions , school social work , and trauma responses through qualitative methodologies, often addressing policy implications. Her publications highlight trends in domestic violence risk assessment , firearm violence prevention , and transnational recovery frameworks . Key themes include trauma-informed care , survivor advocacy , and systemic responses to abuse . Scientific Awards: SSWR Fellow (2017) Her grant-funded projects include Centering Survivor Perspectives on Recovery from Trafficking ($90,000 total funding over 2020–2023) and a Domestic Violence Survey ($150,000, 2020). She has presented at major conferences like the Society for Social Work and Research and American Public Health Association annual meetings.
Egbert Zavala serves as Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), College of Liberal Arts. A native El Pasoan and UTEP alumnus, he earned his PhD in Sociology from Kansas State University and maintains deep community ties through his research on border-region violence dynamics. His educational background includes: PhD in Sociology, Kansas State University Undergraduate degree from UTEP (specific major unstated) Dr. Zavala's research centers on intimate partner violence , victimology , and criminological theory testing , with specialized focus on Latino populations and youth. His work examines: Violence dynamics in immigrant communities Cyber abuse and dating violence Police officer victimization/perpetration Religious coping mechanisms Theoretical integration (social learning, strain, self-control) Cultural retention effects on delinquency Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals consistent theoretical innovation, particularly in adapting target congruence theory to cyber contexts and testing multi-theoretical frameworks for intimate partner violence among marginalized populations. His work increasingly incorporates gendered and cultural analyses within criminological paradigms. No scientific awards were documented in the source material, though his publications appear in high-impact journals including Journal of Family Violence and Crime & Delinquency . As Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Zavala oversees master's programs in Criminology and Intelligence Studies while teaching core courses including Advanced Criminological Theory and Violence in America. His administrative leadership extends to departmental chair duties without mention of specific grant funding in available materials. No dedicated research laboratories are referenced, though his work aligns with UTEP's borderland violence research initiatives through the Department of Criminal Justice.
Jean Proulx is a Full Professor at the School of Criminology within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Université de Montréal, with a secondary appointment as Lecturer at the Faculty of Continuing Education. He has been a faculty member since 1993, recognized for exceptional teaching evaluations and significant contributions to criminology education. His office is located in Pavilion Lionel-Groulx, room C-4128. His primary research examines the behavioral patterns of sexual offenders (pedophiles, rapists, murderers), focusing on the relationship between modus operandi, personality traits, lifestyle factors, and treatment outcomes. Secondary interests include recidivism reduction strategies and quantitative analysis of criminal trajectories. Research Leadership: Directs multiple major projects including: "Traitement, adaptation psychosociale et trajectoire criminelle des agresseurs sexuels" (FRQSC-funded, 2022-2027) Co-investigator on the "Centre international de criminologie comparée" strategic initiative (2024-2031) Awards: Teaching Excellence Award (2001) for exceptional pedagogical impact Student Advising & Grants: Has supervised 37+ graduate students since 1992, with current doctoral candidates researching intimate partner violence and offender profiling. Secured continuous funding from FRQSC, CRSH, and other agencies for longitudinal studies on sexual violence prevention. Affiliations: Principal researcher at the International Centre for Comparative Criminology (CICC) and collaborator at Philippe-Pinel Institute of Legal Psychiatry. Regularly presents findings at international conferences addressing sexual homicide and offender rehabilitation.
Ismael Loinaz is a Professor at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, and a member of the GEAV (Advanced Studies on Violence) research group. His work focuses on violence, forensic psychology, and risk assessment, with expertise in criminology, gender differences, and offender rehabilitation. Licenciatura in Criminology, University of Barcelona (2009) Licenciado in Psychology, University of the Basque Country (2006) Doctorate in Psychology, University of the Basque Country (2013) His research examines child-to-parent violence, intimate partner violence, sexual offending, and homicide dynamics. He specializes in evaluating risk factors, protective factors, and developing forensic tools for judicial and police contexts. Key areas include gender-specific violence analysis and attachment theory in violent behavior. The 2017–2021 publications highlight trends in violence prediction, forensic classification, and cross-disciplinary analysis of gendered violence. They integrate legal, psychological, and criminological frameworks, emphasizing risk assessment, victimology, and intervention strategies. Scientific Awards: Sexenio AQU (Research Merit Award) He has led teaching innovation projects funded by Spain’s Ministry of Universities and supervised undergraduate theses in criminology and law. His collaborations include forensic journals like Revista Española de Medicina Legal and Psychosocial Intervention .
Colleen Fisher is a Professor and Head of the School of Population and Global Health at the University of Western Australia (UWA). She specializes in qualitative and mixed-methods research, teaching courses such as Health Leadership and Qualitative Research Methods in Health. Her research focuses on family and domestic violence, its health implications for women and children, and community/policy responses. She has led multidisciplinary international projects and evaluations of domestic violence interventions. Fisher chairs advisory groups on family violence prevention for the WA government and previously served as Past President of CAPHIA (Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia). Her educational background includes a PhD from Curtin University. Key research areas include domestic violence across the lifespan, refugee contexts, and maternal/child health impacts. She has secured grants totaling over $1.6 million, including projects on children’s mental health exposed to violence, prevention strategies, and refugee perpetrator interventions. Current projects address technology-facilitated abuse and community violence prevention initiatives. Professional roles include membership on panels such as the WA 'Path to Safety' Advisory Group and the Family and Domestic Violence Homicide Review Panel. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health equity and gender equality. Over 112 publications and 9 active/completed grants highlight her contributions to public health research and policy.
Shabbar I. Ranapurwala is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. He also serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology and Assistant Director for Research Methods at the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRC). His work focuses on preventing opioid disorders, overdose deaths, firearm violence, and gender-based violence while addressing racial inequities in public health outcomes. He employs advanced analytics, causal inference, and quasi-experimental methods on large datasets to evaluate policy impacts at state and local levels. Education: PhD in Epidemiology (UNC-Chapel Hill, 2014), MPH in Environmental Health (Western Kentucky University, 2009), BHMS in Homeopathic Medicine (Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, India, 2004). Research interests include opioid policy evaluation, suicide surveillance (via NIH-funded INSPIRE study), domestic violence protective orders (NIJ-funded eProtect), and firearm violence reduction. He co-leads the Anti-racism Interest Group at SAVIR and contributes to North Carolina's Opioid and Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Council. Key achievements include methodological contributions to violence prevention epidemiology and publications in Am J Public Health , Inj Prev , and PloS ONE . His NIH- and CDC-funded grants address opioid use disorder algorithms, justice-involved populations, and suicide prevention. Labs/Teams: Active member of UNC IPRC collaborating with North Carolina's Division of Public Health. Teaches EPID 690: Intervention Epidemiology.
Dr Jenna Price is a Visiting Fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University. She is an award-winning journalist, columnist, and academic renowned for her work in advancing women's rights and journalism education. Her research focuses on gender-based violence, media representation of women, and feminist activism. PhD, University of Sydney Master of Arts (Research), University of Technology Sydney (UTS) BA (Communication), New South Wales Institute of Technology (NSWIT) Her recent research trends emphasize femicide , intimate partner violence , and feminist digital activism in Australia, with a strong focus on data challenges and policy implications . She also explores journalism education and the professional views of students . Jenna has received numerous academic awards for her contributions to teaching and learning , though specific awards are not named. She actively engages in public discourse through television, radio, and media outlets.
Tamsin Higgs is a Full Professor at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology. She specializes in forensic psychology, focusing on sexual delinquency, violence, spousal abuse, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. Her affiliations include the Centre international de criminologie comparée (CICC) and the Centre de recherche de l’Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel. Affiliations & Roles Member of CICC (Comparative Criminology Research Centre) Member of Pôle d'expertise et de recherche en santé et bien-être des hommes Affiliated with Institut Philippe-Pinel de Montréal (IPP) Education & Teaching While specific academic qualifications aren't listed, her roles imply advanced training in clinical psychology and criminology. She teaches courses like "Personnalité et comportement criminel" and "Organisation professionnelle et éthique" to graduate students pursuing psychology and forensic mental health programs. Research Focus Her research explores sexual homicide typologies, risk assessment in violent offenders, and interventions for sexual offenders. She emphasizes understanding offender psychology, particularly in cases involving necrophilic behaviors or multiple victims. Her work bridges clinical psychology and legal practices, addressing gaps in offender treatment and forensic evaluation. Grants & Projects Leads projects on intimate partner homicide (SSHRC-funded) and sexual aggression among involuntary celibates (FRQSC-funded) Co-leads the CICC strategic research group (FRQSC-funded) Investigates treatment adherence among offenders with severe mental illnesses Advising & Mentorship Supervised 5 recent theses, including studies on rape-supportive attitudes, forensic confession dynamics, and therapeutic alliance in child sexual abuse treatment programs. Labs & Collaborations Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at CICC and IPP, focusing on sexual homicide analysis, risk assessment tools, and forensic intervention strategies.
Dr. Denise Paquette Boots serves as the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education in the School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she is also a Professor of Public Policy and Political Economy. She has been at UT Dallas for over 18 years and holds additional appointments as a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Urban Policy Research and as affiliated faculty with the Center for Children and Families in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Dr. Boots earned her Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of South Florida in 2006, following an M.A. (2001) and B.A. (1995) in the same field from the same institution. Prior to her academic career, she was a U.S. Border Patrol Agent trainee and a Level 4 juvenile counselor for adjudicated youth. Ph.D. in Criminology - University of South Florida (2006) M.A. in Criminology - University of South Florida (2001) B.A. in Criminology - University of South Florida (1995) Dr. Boots' research focuses on interpersonal violence, with particular emphasis on domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, campus sexual assault, mental health issues in criminal justice contexts, capital punishment, human trafficking, gender pathways to crime and victimization, parricide, and evaluations of courts and criminal justice programs. Her work bridges criminology, public policy, and political economy, examining how social and institutional structures influence violence and victimization patterns. Analysis of Dr. Boots' recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical applications of criminological research to inform policy and practice. Her work spans domestic violence prevention, criminal justice education, campus safety initiatives, and the intersection of mental health and violence. She frequently collaborates with colleagues across disciplines, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary criminological research. Scientific Awards and Recognition Minnie Stevens Piper Professor of Texas (2020) University of Texas Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award President's Teaching Excellence Award for Tenured Faculty (2016) Love of Learning Award from Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2023, 2020, 2017) Evelyn Gilbert Unsung Hero Award (2016) Comet Teaching Awards (2016, 2015, 2013) Immediate Past President, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (2023) President, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (2022) Dr. Boots has secured over $1.8 million in research funding from private and public sources to support her work on violence prevention and criminal justice evaluation. She has served as a court-certified expert and consultant to numerous non-profit, government, and community organizations on issues related to family violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, mental health, and child abuse. Her leadership extends to mentoring students and junior faculty, with over 100 media interviews demonstrating her commitment to translating research for public understanding. As an active member of the academic community, Dr. Boots has held significant leadership roles including Program Head of Criminology (2016-2018) and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education (2019-2024) before her current position as Senior Associate Dean. She continues to contribute to the field through her role as a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Urban Policy Research, where she examines the intersection of urban environments and criminal justice policy.
Kate Fitz-Gibbon is a Professor (Practice) at Monash University's Faculty of Business and Economics and an Honorary Professorial Fellow at Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne. She specializes in domestic and family violence, femicide, and legal responses to gender-based violence. Her research emphasizes victim-survivor experiences, perpetrator interventions, and policy reform. Fitz-Gibbon holds a PhD in Criminology (2012), a Master's in Human Rights Law (2019), and certifications in higher education and governance. She has held leadership roles, including Director of the Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre (2020–2023) and currently chairs Respect Victoria. Fitz-Gibbon advises on homicide law reform and has contributed to over 30 policy submissions. Her work has influenced Australian legal systems and been cited by the High Court of Australia. Her research explores coercive control, sentencing, and children's rights, with a focus on innovative responses to violence. She collaborates internationally, including with the University of Liverpool and West Virginia University. Fitz-Gibbon has secured grants for projects like perpetrator program engagement and domestic violence disclosure schemes. Key awards include the 2014 100 Women of Influence Award and the 2020 Division of Critical Criminology Best Article. She leads initiatives such as the 'Rapid Review of Consent and Respectful Relationships Education' and contributes to national policy frameworks.
Emma E. Fridel is an Assistant Professor in the College of Criminology & Criminal Justice at Florida State University. Her research focuses on lethal violence, particularly homicide, homicide-suicide, and mass/serial murder, with emphasis on contextual analysis. She holds a Ph.D. in Criminology and Justice Policy from Northeastern University alongside dual undergraduate degrees in Biology and Asian/Middle Eastern Studies from Duke University. Education: Ph.D., Criminology and Justice Policy, Northeastern University (2020) M.A., Criminology and Criminal Justice, Northeastern University (2018) B.S./B.A., Biology & Asian/Middle Eastern Studies, Duke University (2014) Her research interests include: Analyzing macro-level factors influencing lethal violence Examining gender dynamics in homicide and suicide Studying school shootings and mass murder correlates Developing quantitative methods for crime analysis Recent work explores gun policy impacts on violence, racial disparities in homicide victimization, and contextual effects on homicide types. Her 2025 article in the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency highlights differential contextual influences across homicide subtypes. Dr. Fridel advises students in criminological research and contributes to policy discussions through her work on firearm regulation and violence prevention strategies. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to advance evidence-based approaches to criminal justice challenges.
