Maria Fitzpatrick is Professor in Cornell University's Department of Policy Analysis and Management and Director of the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. A Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, she holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia (2008) and specializes in child/family policy and education economics. Research examines early childhood education impacts, teacher compensation and retirement systems, child maltreatment reporting, and incarceration effects on families. Notable studies analyze universal pre-kindergarten programs, teacher pension reforms, and maternal incarceration's impact on birth outcomes. Current projects investigate child welfare decision-making algorithms and prison visitation policies. Fellowships include the Henry Luce Foundation/ACLS Early Career Fellowship and postdoctoral positions at Stanford's Institute for Economic Policy Research. She has advised government agencies including the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and Queensland Rail.
Jennifer Lavoie is an Associate Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, affiliated with the Department of Psychology and Criminology. She specializes in mental health crisis response, policing strategies, de-escalation techniques, and scenario-based training. Wilfrid Laurier University: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Psychology and Criminology Departments Research Interests : Her work focuses on integrating virtual reality and scenario-based training to improve police de-escalation skills. She examines violence risk assessment , correctional systems , and housing first programs for homeless individuals with mental illness. Recent studies address big data governance , cyberstalking victimization , and community-driven policing approaches . Publication Trends : Her research spans mental health policy , police training efficacy , and technological integration in crisis management . She explores virtual reality applications and community co-designed interventions , alongside longitudinal studies on stress and coping mechanisms in correctional and psychiatric settings. Scientific Awards : No scientific awards listed in available data. Advising : Actively supervises students in psychology and criminology, with unlisted advisees. Her work bridges academic research and practical policing applications .
Professor Philip Birch is a distinguished academic in Criminology at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Faculty of Design & Society, School of International Studies & Education. With over 15 years of academic experience across British, American, and Australian university systems, he has established himself as a leading expert in policing, community safety, and criminal justice. His extensive practical background in criminology, including roles as a Specialist Crime Team Manager, Community Safety Research Manager, and Through Care Worker in UK correctional facilities, informs his applied research approach. Professor Birch's educational background includes a BSocSci. (Hons) in Social Policy (Crime & Justice) from the University of Manchester, multiple postgraduate qualifications from the Open University (including an MSc. in Social & Criminological Research Methods), a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice from the University of Huddersfield, and a PhD in Criminology from the University of New South Wales. He also holds a Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy. His research centers on six key areas: Police & Policing; Community Safety & Crime Prevention; Prisons, Probation & Parole Policy & Practice; Assessment, Treatment & Management of Offenders; Gender & sexuality inclusive Domestic and Family Violence; and Sex Work, Sex Workers and Procurement. His work emphasizes the practical application of criminological research to real-world justice issues, with strong industry engagement across law enforcement and correctional services. Recent publications reveal a clear trend toward police mental health, aging in policing, hate crime identification, trauma-informed policing approaches, and digital community safety initiatives. His research employs diverse methodologies including qualitative case studies, Delphi methods, rapid evidence assessments, and comparative analyses across multiple jurisdictions. Teaching award (2019) from Australian College of Educators for outstanding contribution to education Literati Award (2019) for published work Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy Professor Birch has supervised numerous Honours, Masters by Coursework, Masters by Research and PhD students in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Policing, with several completions to date. He has secured over $1.3 million in research funding, including an ARC Linkage grant, and has acted as an external assessor for domestic and international funding bodies. His research projects address critical issues in criminology and policing, often with direct policy implications. He established the Crime & Security Science (CaSS) Research Group at UTS in 2022, a cross-faculty initiative connecting academia with industry to advance evidence-based criminology, criminal justice, policing, and community safety research. This group serves as a hub for collaborative projects addressing contemporary security challenges through translational research.
Rana Jaleel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Arts & Sciences. She holds multiple leadership roles, including Chair of the Cultural Studies Graduate Group, Chair of the Designated Emphasis in Feminist Theory and Research, Faculty Advisor for the Sexuality Studies Minor, and Co-Director of HATCH: The Feminist Arts & Sciences Initiative. She is also a 2021–2024 College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Faculty Fellow. Education: Ph.D. in American Studies, New York University J.D., Yale Law School MFA in Poetry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Rana Jaleel’s research centers on the politics of evidence, examining how harm is recognized or erased in legal, cultural, and political contexts. Her work critically engages with reproductive labor, race, gender, sexuality, property, and international law. She draws from feminist theory, critical ethnic studies, legal studies, and decolonial thought to interrogate the intersections of power, knowledge, and violence. Her interdisciplinary approach is reflected in her contributions across law, cultural studies, and creative writing. Her publications and editorial projects reveal a strong focus on racial capitalism, settler colonialism, queer/trans of color critique, and feminist legal theory. She explores how international legal frameworks for sexual violence are shaped by imperial and racial power. Her work frequently appears in journals such as Critical Ethnic Studies Journal , Cultural Studies , and Brooklyn Law Review . She has co-edited special issues on democracy, gendered citizenship, and racial capitalism, demonstrating a commitment to collective scholarly work. Scientific Awards: Author of Color First Book Award from Duke University Press for The Work of Rape Rana Jaleel is actively involved in academic service and mentorship. As Co-Director of HATCH and leader of the Write the Future! Lab, she fosters creative and critical scholarship among undergraduate students, particularly from women/queer/trans of color and transnational feminist perspectives. She serves on the Editorial Collective and Board of The Critical Ethnic Studies Journal and is a member of the American Association of University Professors’ Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure. Her leadership extends to admissions and curriculum development in interdisciplinary programs. She is co-editing a forthcoming issue of South Atlantic Quarterly on 'Queer/Trans of Color Transits and the Global Imaginaries of Racial Capitalism' and continues to develop projects that bridge creative practice, legal critique, and feminist theory.
Deborah M. Weissman is the Reef C. Ivey II Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina School of Law. Her work focuses on domestic violence, gender and human rights, political economy, and critical legal theory. She has published extensively on intersections between law, social control, and marginalized communities. Research Interests: Her scholarship examines the political economy of gender-based violence, neoliberalism's impact on legal advocacy, and the criminalization of survivors. She advocates for community-driven legal reforms and human rights frameworks. Collaborations: Weissman frequently collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and institutions like the University of Miami School of Law, Syracuse University, and the United Nations Human Rights Council. Scientific Awards: Reef C. Ivey II Distinguished Professor of Law Recent Publications: Highlights include analyses of lifelong criminalization of gender violence survivors (2025), economic justice in domestic violence policy (2023), and critiques of carceral systems (2021). Her work spans journals like Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy and North Carolina Law Review .
Ana Cristina Manso serves as Associate Professor, Vice-Rector, and Member of the Scientific Council at Egas Moniz University Institute. She directs multiple Preventive and Community Dentistry courses within the Integrated Master's Degree in Dentistry program and serves as a researcher at the Egas Moniz Interdisciplinary Research Center. Her clinical practice includes work at the Oral Health Unit - Clinical Center at the Bankers' Union of the South and Islands. Her educational background includes a PhD in Research in Stomatology (2008) from the University of Granada and a Dentistry Degree (1993) from the Higher Institute of Health Sciences South. She has completed numerous specialized trainings including Pedagogical Training, Quality Assurance Systems, and Social Responsibility seminars at Egas Moniz. Manso's research focuses on geriatric oral health, preventive dentistry, and community-based dental care. Her work examines self-perception of oral health among elderly populations using tools like GOHAI, investigates halitosis treatments including cinnamon-based solutions, and studies caries prevention through remineralization techniques. She has published extensively on dental erosion, temporomandibular disorders, and socioeconomic factors affecting oral health outcomes in Portuguese populations. Her recent publications reveal strong trends in geriatric dentistry and health disparities research, with significant focus on oral health literacy, socioeconomic determinants of oral health, and interdisciplinary approaches to managing conditions like xerostomia and temporomandibular disorders. Methodologically, her work combines clinical trials, cross-sectional analyses, and systematic reviews. Manso has supervised 57 master's dissertations (co-supervising 20), 1 doctoral thesis (co-supervised), and 2 undergraduate theses. Her research projects include ADAPTAR - Projeto EduCom and the Egas Moniz Interdisciplinary Research Center (UID/BIM/04585/2019). She actively participates in quality assurance initiatives as a Member of the Quality Assurance Commission for Egas Moniz Teaching. As Director of the Egas Moniz Interdisciplinary Research Center, she leads research on community dentistry and oral health promotion. Her work extends to social responsibility initiatives including oral health programs for prison populations and elderly community outreach through the 'Primeiro Dente, Primeira escovagem' program.
Aaron J. Chalfin serves as Associate Professor and Graduate Chair of Criminology within the Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Liberal and Professional Studies. He maintains significant external affiliations as a Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center, faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and research affiliate at the University of Chicago Crime Lab. His academic foundation includes: PhD in Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley (2013) MA in International and Development Economics, Yale University (2004) BS in Industrial & Labor Relations, Cornell University (2003) Chalfin's research program centers on policing economics, officer behavioral preferences, place-based crime prevention strategies, and victimization determinants. He concurrently advances methodological rigor in social science through innovations in measurement error correction, spatial crime concentration metrics, and administrative data linkage techniques. His empirical approach consistently bridges theoretical criminology with practical policy evaluation. Recent publications reveal evolving research trajectories across bias-motivated violence measurement during pandemics, low-cost gun violence interventions, racial disparities in traffic fatalities, and methodological improvements for policy analysis. This body of work demonstrates sustained commitment to evidence-based criminal justice solutions through experimental and quasi-experimental designs. His ongoing collaboration with the University of Chicago Crime Lab exemplifies integration between academic research and real-world crime laboratory operations, focusing on scalable public safety innovations.
Dr. Stephanie Archer is an Associate Professor and Senior Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, jointly affiliated with the Department of Psychology and the Department of Public Health and Primary Care. Her work bridges psychological science with clinical applications, particularly in cancer risk assessment and digital health interventions. Dr. Archer holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD, though specific institutions are not mentioned in available sources. Her educational background has prepared her for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of psychology, public health, and clinical medicine. Her research focuses on three primary areas: designing multifactorial cancer risk prediction tools for clinical settings; exploring patient and staff experiences of health and social care; and developing/testing digital health interventions. She employs qualitative methods extensively while also engaging with quantitative approaches for comprehensive health services research. Her work demonstrates strong translational focus, moving from theoretical frameworks to practical clinical applications. Analysis of Dr. Archer's recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory in cancer risk prediction tools (particularly CanRisk), patient experience research across multiple conditions, and implementation science for digital health interventions. Her work spans breast, ovarian, prostate, and other cancers while also addressing mental health in autistic populations and patient safety in surgical settings. The interdisciplinary nature of her research connects psychology with oncology, primary care, and public health. Dr. Archer actively contributes to clinical guidelines development, as evidenced by her involvement in the Joint ABS-UKCGG-CanGene-CanVar consensus regarding CanRisk implementation. Her research methodology combines qualitative depth with mixed-methods approaches to address complex healthcare challenges. As a Senior Research Associate and Associate Professor, Dr. Archer likely supervises PhD students and early-career researchers, though specific advisees are not documented in available sources. Her teaching interests include health psychology, health services research, qualitative methods, and intervention development. Dr. Archer collaborates across multiple research units at Cambridge, including the Primary Care Unit and likely the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to improving cancer risk assessment and patient care pathways.
Dr. Keisha April is an Assistant Professor at Rutgers University's School of Criminal Justice. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Drexel University, J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and A.B. in Psychology from Princeton University. Her research focuses on juvenile justice systems, policing practices, mental health intersections with crime, community-based interventions, and racial/ethnic disparities. Using mixed methodologies, she examines justice system interactions to inform policy reforms. Recent publications explore police-youth dynamics, treatment-to-prison pipelines, and community participatory research. Her work integrates public health models with restorative justice approaches.
Shoshana R. Shelton is a Professor at the RAND School of Public Policy and a Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation. Her work centers on program evaluation, public health systems, emergency preparedness, and national health security, with significant contributions to pandemic response, violence prevention, and crisis decision-making. She has led major projects for federal agencies including the CDC, DHS, FEMA, and the U.S. Secret Service. Education: M.P.H., The Ohio State University B.A. in English, Denison University Her research focuses on strengthening public health infrastructure through performance measurement, logic modeling, and stakeholder engagement. She has developed tools such as tabletop exercises for continuity of operations in public health laboratories and led after-action reviews of the public health response to COVID-19. Her work emphasizes building resilience against biological threats, natural disasters, and targeted violence. Shelton's recent publications highlight trends in emergency alert systems, disaster resilience, criminal justice reform during pandemics, and equitable health security research investment. She advocates for evidence-based policies that balance bioterrorism preparedness with responses to natural disasters and climate-related emergencies. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. She has advised or collaborated with numerous federal and state agencies, contributing to national health security through rigorous evaluation and policy analysis. Her grants and projects reflect sustained funding from DHS, CDC, and other federal bodies focused on improving public safety and health system readiness. She has also led initiatives on behavioral threat assessment in schools and wearable technology for law enforcement wellness. Labs and Teams: Previously led a four-year project on mass attacks and targeted violence for the U.S. Secret Service. Collaborated with the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) on continuity of operations planning. Contributed to the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative, fostering innovation across law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
Professor Caoimhe McAvinchey holds the position of Professor of Socially Engaged and Contemporary Performance at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), within the School of English and Drama. She specializes in applied theatre and socially engaged performance, with a focus on prison systems, criminal justice, and intergenerational arts practices. Her academic journey includes a BA (Double Hons) in English and Drama from Manchester University, an MA in Performance Studies from New York University, and a PhD from QMUL. Her research explores the intersection of performance with marginalized communities, particularly women in prison and criminal justice contexts. Key projects include leading the AHRC-funded Women/Theatre/Justice (2019–2023), examining Clean Break theatre’s impact, and co-authoring Phakama: Making Participatory Theatre (2018). She has supervised numerous PhD students and served as an external examiner for UK drama programs. Teaching includes undergraduate modules like Performance and Community and postgraduate courses on cultural industries. Her public engagement spans exhibitions, seminars, and collaborative projects like Globe , exploring migration and belonging. She actively contributes to academic journals, conferences, and arts policy discussions, advocating for socially engaged performance’s role in societal change. Education: BA Double Hons in English and Drama (Manchester University) MA in Performance Studies (NYU Tisch School) PhD (QMUL) Research Themes: Applied theatre, prison performance, criminal justice advocacy, intergenerational arts, cultural policy evaluation. Grants: £303k AHRC grant (2019–2023) for Women/Theatre/Justice . Labs/Teams: Principal Investigator for Women/Theatre/Justice ; collaborator with Clean Break, People’s Palace Projects, and Magic Me.
Dr. Bethany White is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Central Clinical School, University of Sydney. Her expertise lies in public health research, particularly in drug and alcohol use, hepatitis C epidemiology, and health services evaluation. She has led numerous clinical and community-based studies focusing on marginalized populations, including people who inject drugs and imprisoned women. Her work integrates harm reduction policies, healthcare access improvements, and substance use disorder treatments in custodial and community settings. Research Focus: Dr. White's research emphasizes epidemiological methods to address health inequalities, with a focus on opioid use disorders, hepatitis C prevention, and women's substance use. She has pioneered studies on depot buprenorphine treatment efficacy in prisons and developed models of care for substance-using mothers. Her work bridges clinical practice and policy, aiming to improve healthcare accessibility in high-risk groups. Key Themes: Health inequalities, harm reduction, custodial healthcare Recent Projects: Costing models for depot buprenorphine, contraception integration in opioid treatment centers Grants & Collaborations: Principal investigator on a 2025 NHMRC-funded grant exploring clinical evidence translation for substance use disorder outcomes. Collaborates with institutions like Edith Collins Centre and NSW Health. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Edith Collins Centre, focusing on addiction medicine and health service innovation.
Dr. Esther Prins is a Professor of Education in the Learning and Performance Systems department at Pennsylvania State University's College of Education. She serves as Co-Director of both the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy and the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy (ISAL). Her research employs critical and sociocultural theories to examine various forms of literacies (adult, family, digital, health), adult basic education, rural adult education, and participatory approaches to education, community development, and research. Her scholarship particularly explores the "wider benefits" of adult education and how it reproduces or mitigates inequities rooted in race/ethnicity, class, gender, and immigration status. Her primary focus is on community-based programs in adult and family literacy, including adult English as a Second Language (ESOL). Dr. Prins has recently expanded her research to explore the influence of White Christian nationalism in public education, school board elections, adult education, and literacy studies. Her work spans numerous disciplines with publications in journals such as Educational Researcher, American Educational Research Journal, Adult Education Quarterly, and Rural Sociology. Her research has been supported by major funding agencies including the National Science Foundation, Institute of Education Sciences, and Spencer Foundation. Selected awards: Exemplary Paper Award, Adult Literacy and Adult Education SIG, AERA (2025) Graduate Faculty Teaching Award, Penn State (2019) Mildred B. and Charles A. Wedemeyer Award for Outstanding Scholar in Distance Education (2013) Outstanding Researcher Award, College of Education, Penn State (2011) Imogene Okes Award for Outstanding Research, AAACE (2010) Outstanding Paper by an Early Career Scholar Award, AERA (2007) Dr. Prins has co-authored the book "Teaching and Learning about Family Literacy and Family Literacy Programs" (Routledge, 2022) and co-edited "Family and Intergenerational Literacy and Learning: International Perspectives" (UNESCO, 2025). She is actively engaged in community outreach, presenting her research on White Christian nationalism to churches and community groups.
Katherine Johnson is a Professor and Dean of the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS) at RMIT University. Her academic leadership spans roles such as Executive Dean, Research Centre Director, and Associate Dean in Australia and the UK. Her research focuses on LGBTQ+ mental health, transgender health, and participatory methods, with a commitment to social equity and environmental justice. She has led projects funded by Horizon 2020/NHMRC, ARC, and VicHealth, and her work bridges policy, practice, and community impact. Awards include the RMIT Vice Chancellor Leadership Award for Inclusion (2024) and the Vice Chancellor Research Impact and Engagement Award (2024). Research Interests: Her interdisciplinary work addresses LGBTQ+ suicide prevention, early mental health interventions for youth, and transformative policy. Key areas include participatory action research, psychosocial interventions, and global collaborations in Europe, Mexico, and the UK. She emphasizes creative and inclusive methodologies to foster social change. Professional Experience: Prior to RMIT, she directed the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender at the University of Brighton. She has held visiting fellowships at institutions like the University of Sydney, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Her industry engagement includes advisory roles with LGBTQ+ organizations and mental health advocacy. Awards & Recognition: RMIT Vice Chancellor Leadership Award for Inclusion (2024) Vice Chancellor Research Impact and Engagement Award (Open) (2024) Grants & Funding: Projects are supported by Horizon 2020/NHMRC, ARC, VicHealth, and international partnerships. Her research often addresses global challenges like LGBTQ+ youth mental health and transgender health equity. Teaching & Supervision: Open to supervising PhD and Masters students in areas such as LGBTQ+ health, participatory methods, and social policy. She champions inclusive pedagogies and transformative student experiences.
Ayorkor Gaba, PsyD, serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMass Chan). She directs the Behavioral Health Equity Advancement Lab (B-HEAL) and leads the Equity Division at the Massachusetts Center of Excellence in Specialty Court. Dr. Gaba's academic affiliations include the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass Chan where she conducts research at the intersection of behavioral health and social justice. Dr. Gaba earned her BS in Psychology and PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University. Her educational background provided the foundation for her specialized work in clinical psychology with a focus on marginalized populations. Her research program centers on reducing health disparities and advancing health equity through implementation science approaches. Dr. Gaba specifically investigates how to improve behavioral health services for historically marginalized populations including African American/Black and Latino/a/x individuals and families, people involved in the criminal legal system, and women. She examines co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders within specialty court settings, with particular attention to racial/ethnic disparities in service delivery and outcomes. Her work integrates social justice principles with systems thinking to address social determinants of health that contribute to inequities in behavioral healthcare. An analysis of her recent publications (2019-2024) reveals a strong emphasis on implementation science within criminal justice settings, particularly specialty courts. Her research consistently examines racial and ethnic disparities in behavioral health services, with growing attention to digital health interventions and gender-specific considerations in treatment. The publications demonstrate methodological diversity including clinical trials, implementation studies, qualitative analyses, and systematic reviews focused on equity-oriented interventions. Dr. Gaba actively contributes to advancing discourse around race, ethnicity, and culture in psychiatric research and practice, as evidenced by her co-authorship on methodological guidance for reporting on these critical dimensions in research. As Director of the Behavioral Health Equity Advancement Lab (B-HEAL), Dr. Gaba leads a research team focused on developing and testing interventions that address health inequities. Her lab works closely with the Massachusetts Center of Excellence in Specialty Courts, particularly on initiatives related to the Equity Division which she directs. This collaborative structure enables her team to implement and evaluate evidence-based practices in real-world criminal justice settings while centering equity considerations throughout the research process.
