Dr Borge Bakken is a Researcher affiliated with the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences at The Australian National University. His work focuses on Chinese governance, criminology, and socio-legal systems with particular emphasis on corruption dynamics, criminal justice reforms, and socio-political structures in modern China. He has conducted extensive research on topics including wrongful convictions, rural criminal networks, and institutional corruption mechanisms. Research Interests: Dr Bakken's expertise spans Chinese legal frameworks, socio-political governance, and criminological studies. His work critically examines how social norms intersect with punitive measures in contemporary China, particularly in areas like anti-corruption policies and judicial transparency. Recent studies include analyses of 'criminal villages' and evolving corruption forms within state-owned enterprises. Publications: His 2021 article on corruption in China explores land management and state asset misappropriation. Earlier works address wrongful convictions and the socio-legal challenges in rural crime networks. His research demonstrates a focus on institutional accountability and systemic governance issues. Labs/Teams: Not explicitly mentioned, but his collaborative work with co-author Wang, J. (2021) suggests interdisciplinary engagements within ANU's China studies networks.
Patrick Metze is Professor of Law at Texas Tech University School of Law, where he has served since 2008. He initially joined as an adjunct professor teaching the criminal defense clinic in 2007 and became a full-time Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Criminal Defense Clinics in May 2008. He was promoted to Professor of Law with tenure in September 2012. Professor Metze has established several groundbreaking clinical programs including the Capital Punishment Clinic (2010), the Caprock Regional Public Defender Office and Clinic (2010) - the first full-time public defender office operated from within a law school, and the Texas Tech School of Law Innocence Clinic (2016). Professor Metze earned his B.A. from Texas Tech University in 1970 and his J.D. from the University of Houston in 1973. Before joining academia, he maintained a private law practice in Levelland and Lubbock, Texas for over 30 years, initially handling general practice including banking, collections, corporate law, and oil and gas matters, but shifting focus to criminal and family law following the 1986 oil industry collapse in West Texas. He was one of only 14 attorneys qualified for appointment as first chair in Capital Murder cases in the 9th Administrative Judicial Region. Professor Metze's research focuses on criminal law and procedure, with particular emphasis on capital punishment, innocence projects, and the school-to-prison pipeline. His publications reveal a consistent concern with constitutional protections, ethical obligations of courts and practitioners, and systemic reforms in criminal justice. His work spans both theoretical analysis of legal principles and practical guidance for criminal defense attorneys. Among his professional recognitions, Professor Metze is a Life Fellow of The Texas Bar Foundation and maintains membership in The Pro Bono College of the State of Texas. His presentations at numerous professional seminars demonstrate his active engagement with the criminal defense bar and commitment to advancing legal practice. Professor Metze has served on various committees including the Criminal Justice Council of the State Bar of Texas, the Advisory Committee to the Lubbock Special Needs Defenders Office, and as a former board member of the Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (where he served as President) and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
Dr Fiona Hum is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University's Faculty of Law, where she conducts research and teaches. Admitted as a solicitor and barrister of the Supreme Court of Victoria, she previously practiced commercial litigation, criminal law, and personal injury law while consulting for major insurers and the Victorian police force. Her doctorate from the University of Melbourne focused on Northern Territory euthanasia laws. Education: Doctorate in Law, University of Melbourne (thesis on euthanasia laws) Admitted Solicitor and Barrister, Supreme Court of Victoria Research Focus: Dr Hum's work centers on Evidence Law , Wrongful Convictions , and Gender/Race Relations in Law , with pioneering studies on compassion training for law students now expanding into climate change law. Her research directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goals for justice, equality, and well-being through interdisciplinary approaches connecting legal theory with psychological and social frameworks. Publication Trends: Recent work (2022-2025) analyzes high-profile cases like Kathleen Folbigg and Cardinal Pell while advancing evidence law pedagogy through her Cambridge University Press textbook. Earlier scholarship (2010) established foundational critiques of gender bias in evidentiary processes, particularly regarding women complainants and pregnant patients. Scientific Awards: Faculty Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence (2010) Certificate of Recognition for S1 Unit Performance (2015) Certificate of Recognition for S2 Unit Improvement (2016) Nominee: Inspiring Woman Award (2021) Nominee: Australian Legal Education Award (2023) Advising & Professional Impact: Accepting PhD students, Dr Hum actively shapes legal education through curriculum innovation and peer review for top journals ( University of New South Wales Law Journal , Sydney Law Review ). Her external collaborations include specialist lectures for Monash's Faculty of Medicine and keynotes at national conferences like the Women's Lawyers Conference on 'Justice for All'. Institutional Roles: Current member of the Australasian Law Academics Association (2025-2028) and former Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne (2019-2021), she bridges academic rigor with real-world legal practice through ongoing consultancy work.
Prentice L. White is a Professor and the Associate Vice Chancellor for the Evening Division and Emerging Program at Southern University Law Center. A 1995 alumnus of SULC, he joined the faculty in 2001 after serving as an Assistant District Attorney and Senior Research Attorney, specializing in criminal appellate litigation. Education : B.A. from Xavier University of Louisiana (1991), MBA from University of New Orleans (2001), J.D. from Southern University Law Center (1995). Research interests span Criminal Law , Civil Procedure , Tort Law , and Legal Education , with a focus on Judicial Accountability , Domestic Violence Legislation , and Environmental Tort Law . His publications analyze legal reforms for domestic violence, judicial immunity, plea negotiations, and environmental liability. Notable trends in his articles include critiques of judicial discretion in criminal justice, advocacy for victim compensation in ecological disasters, and pedagogical approaches to legal education. His work bridges Legislative Analysis , Civil Rights , and Legal Ethics . Professional Background : He teaches courses such as Civil Law Property , Criminal Procedure , and Advanced Legal Writing , leveraging his experience in state and federal appellate courts.
Simon Stern is a Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, where he has taught since 2007, holding progressively senior positions from Assistant to full Professor since 2019. He serves as Chair in Innovation Law (2020-present) and Director of the Center for Innovation Law & Policy (2012-present). His research bridges legal doctrines with literary/intellectual history, focusing on legal fictions, the "reasonable man" standard, and intersections between law and sexuality. Ph.D. in English (UC Berkeley), J.D. (Yale), B.A. in English (Yale, magna cum laude) Editor-in-Chief of Yale Journal of Law & Humanities during law school Research interests include: law and literature, legal history, sexuality and the law, criminal law, and intellectual property. His work examines narrative techniques in legal reasoning, evidentiary standards, and historical evolution of legal concepts through literary frameworks. Recent publications analyze legal fictions, reasonable person standard evolution, and 19th-century tort law narratives. He co-edits Oxford University Press' Law and Literature series and the New Rambler Review. 2012 SLS Partnership Award for student advocacy 2023-2026 President of academic organization Serves on SSHRC Insight Grants Committee and multiple editorial boards
Adam Grant serves as an Adjunct Professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, having joined the institution in 2021. He holds a B.S. from Northwestern University (1986) and a J.D. from Loyola Law School (2010). Professor Grant specializes in criminal justice reform with a focus on wrongful convictions. His expertise encompasses post-conviction litigation, legal ethics in criminal proceedings, and innocence projects. His teaching directly addresses systemic issues within the criminal justice system through practical legal frameworks. As an adjunct faculty member teaching specialized coursework, Professor Grant brings current professional experience into the classroom. His work contributes to Southwestern Law School's public interest law initiatives, particularly those addressing justice system failures affecting vulnerable populations.
Professor Gary Edmond is a law professor at the University of New South Wales School of Law, directing the Program in Expertise, Evidence and Law. Holding a BA(Hons) from the University of Wollongong, LLB(Hons) from the University of Sydney, and PhD from the University of Cambridge, he bridges legal scholarship with forensic science expertise through extensive research grants and international collaborations. Education: BA(Hons), LLB(Hons), PhD Institutions: University of New South Wales, Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences His research focuses on the intersection of law and forensic science, examining expert evidence reliability, forensic reporting practices, and the adversarial legal system's limitations. With over $1.4 million in research funding since 2007, he leads interdisciplinary projects involving policing agencies and forensic institutions across Australia and international partners. Recent publications analyze judicial handling of expert evidence, cognitive biases in courtroom identification, and forensic science reform. His work has shaped evidence law understanding through the 6th edition of 'Australian Evidence: A principled approach to the common law and the uniform acts' and advisory roles in high-profile inquiries like the Goudge Inquiry. Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales As Chair of the Evidence-based forensics initiative and member of Standards Australia’s forensic science committee, he continues to influence policy while teaching core legal subjects including Courts, Procedure, Evidence and Proof, and Introducing Law and Justice.
Carly Strouse is an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Doctor of Public Health Program at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health. Her work focuses on community-academic partnerships to advance health equity in maternal and child health and among populations involved with the criminal legal system. DrPH, MPH in Maternal and Child Health (UC Berkeley) BA in American Studies (UC Davis) Dr. Strouse employs action-oriented research methodologies, including participatory and mixed methods, and leads Project COPE, a participatory study on reintegration after wrongful conviction. She teaches courses in maternal and child health policy, data analysis, and doctoral seminars.
E. Lea Johnston is the Clarence J. TeSelle Professor and Professor of Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She is a leading expert in mental health law, criminal law, and criminal procedure, with her work appearing in top law reviews and peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journals. Her scholarship has been widely cited by legal scholars, appears in leading treatises, and has received attention from courts and social scientists. Her theory of sentencing forms part of the theoretical framework for the standard textbook for forensic psychiatry fellowship programs. Professor Johnston earned her A.B. from Princeton University and her J.D. (cum laude) from Harvard Law School. Before entering academia, she worked as a litigation associate at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington, D.C., served as director of the Maryland Public Interest Research Group, and clerked for Judge Richard Tallman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Johnston's research primarily focuses on the intersection of mental health and criminal justice. Her work examines how mental illness impacts criminal responsibility, competence to stand trial, sentencing, and diversion programs. She has made significant contributions to understanding diminished responsibility doctrines, insanity defenses, mental health courts, and assisted outpatient treatment. Her scholarship often employs interdisciplinary approaches, integrating legal analysis with insights from psychology, psychiatry, and behavioral sciences to develop more humane and just approaches to mentally ill offenders within the criminal justice system. Her publications demonstrate consistent scholarly output with significant impact across multiple disciplines. The trajectory of her work shows an evolution from foundational analyses of legal standards for mentally ill defendants toward more comprehensive reform proposals addressing systemic issues in how the criminal justice system handles mental illness. Elected to American Law Institute (2020) Former Chair of Criminal Justice Section, American Association of Law Schools Former Chair of Law and Mental Disability Section, American Association of Law Schools Member of Legal Scholars Committee, American Psychology-Law Society Professor Johnston has significantly influenced both legal scholarship and practice through her theoretical contributions and practical recommendations. Her work on sentencing theory for mentally ill offenders has been incorporated into forensic psychiatry training materials, demonstrating real-world impact beyond academia. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided text, her extensive publication record and leadership roles suggest substantial research support throughout her career. Her scholarship serves as a critical bridge between legal doctrine and clinical mental health practice, offering frameworks that balance therapeutic needs with justice considerations.
Phoebe Zerwick serves as Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of the Journalism Program at Wake Forest University. She holds an MS from Columbia University's Journalism School and a BA from the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, and multimedia storytelling with particular emphasis on systemic racism within the American justice system. Her work explores the intersection of journalism, law, and social justice, examining how media coverage impacts public understanding of criminal justice issues and wrongful convictions. Zerwick's notable publication Beyond Innocence: The Life Sentence of Darryl Hunt has received significant recognition including being named a Finalist for the 2024 William Saroyan International Prize in Writing and selected for the 2024 NC Reads program. The book has garnered praise from prominent authors and legal experts for its powerful examination of the American carceral state. Finalist for the 2024 William Saroyan International Prize in Writing 2024 NC Reads Selection As Director of the Journalism Program, Zerwick teaches courses including WRI 111 Writing Justice, JOU 320 Community Journalism, JOU 322/LAW 500 Investigating Innocence: At the Intersection of Journalism, Narrative and the Law, and JOU 375/LAW 397/AAS 280 Confronting Racism in Journalism and the Law. Her professional background includes investigative reporting for the Winston-Salem Journal where she covered Darryl Hunt's case, which ultimately led to his DNA exoneration after 19 years of wrongful imprisonment.
Dr. Caroline Erentzen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from York University and a JD from Queen’s University, with prior legal practice at the Ontario Bar. Her work bridges social psychology and law, focusing on wrongful convictions, jury decision-making, and the treatment of marginalized groups within legal systems. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto and currently leads research on hate crime underreporting, gender-based violence, and legal inequality. Research interests include the intersection of law and psychology, mechanisms of victim stereotyping, religious minority rights, and systemic legal biases. Her publications analyze wrongful conviction cases in Canada, online harassment of university women, and victim-blaming in Islamophobic hate crimes. She is affiliated with the Psychology and Law Research Lab (PLJ Lab). No scientific awards are listed, though her work demonstrates impactful contributions to legal psychology. Advising and grants details are not explicitly provided, but her research suggests active engagement in collaborative projects. The PLJ Lab focuses on applied legal psychology research with community partnerships.
David Bjerk is the Russell S. Bock Professor of Public Economics and Taxation at the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance, Pepperdine University. His expertise spans crime and criminal justice, labor economics, and public policy, with a focus on racial/gender inequality and legal systems. He holds a B.A. from Carleton College and M.A./Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Research interests include wrongful conviction rates, plea bargaining dynamics, racial sentencing disparities, and the economic foundations of redistribution. Notable work analyzes DNA exoneration data to assess racial biases in convictions and evaluates policy impacts like the Fair Sentencing Act. His studies also explore labor market discrimination, drug courier risk compensation, and youth criminal behavior correlates. Publications span journals like Journal of Law and Economics , Economic Journal , and Journal of Public Economics , consistently addressing intersections of economic theory and legal/practical policies. His work informs debates on policing funding, sentencing reform, and systemic inequality.
Donald A. Dripps serves as the Warren Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of San Diego School of Law, where he has been a faculty member since 2004. His academic career includes previous appointments as assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Law, visiting professor at Duke University School of Law, visiting professor at Cornell University Law School, and James Annenberg Levee Professor of Criminal Procedure at the University of Minnesota Law School. He clerked for the Honorable Amalya Kearse of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City. Dripps earned his JD from the University of Michigan in 1983, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Michigan Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He received his BA from Northwestern University in 1980. His research focuses on the theoretical foundations of constitutional criminal procedure, with particular emphasis on plea bargaining, the void for vagueness doctrine, and the historical evolution of privacy rights. Dripps frequently examines how historical legal contexts inform contemporary constitutional interpretation, especially regarding the Fourth Amendment in the digital age. His work bridges doctrinal analysis with practical criminal justice concerns, exploring systemic feedback loops in criminal justice reform and the philosophical basis of constitutional rights. Dripps's scholarship reveals consistent engagement with emerging challenges in constitutional interpretation, including undefined consent in sexual assault statutes, federalism issues in criminal jurisdiction, and the constitutional dimensions of police surveillance. His publications demonstrate a methodological approach that combines historical analysis with contemporary doctrinal challenges to develop more coherent frameworks for constitutional criminal procedure. Editor-in-chief of the Michigan Law Review Member of the Order of the Coif As a leading scholar in criminal procedure, Dripps has shaped academic and practical understanding through his influential casebooks and law review articles. His work on institutional reform injunctions represents a significant contribution to one of the most dramatic developments in the field in recent decades. His scholarship consistently addresses the relationship between procedural rules and substantive justice outcomes in the criminal justice system.
Elizabeth Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she has served since 2014 after previously teaching in Niagara University's Criminology and Criminal Justice department. Born in Senegal, Zaire (now DRC), and Bangladesh, she attended high school in Amherst, MA and holds a B.A. in Psychology from Tufts University (2000) and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from SUNY Albany (2009). Her educational background includes: B.A. in Psychology, Tufts University, 2000 Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, State University of New York at Albany, 2009 Dr. Brown's research expertise spans law and society, moral politics, and the social determinants of public opinion regarding crime and justice. She investigates punishment mechanisms, societal precarity, and U.S. state-level penal policy evolution, with current work examining how meritocratic beliefs and personal economic insecurity shape public perceptions of social class. Her scholarship reveals deep engagement with the moral and political foundations of punitive attitudes in American society. Analysis of her 15 publications (2009-2025) demonstrates consistent focus on criminological methodology and public opinion dynamics. She employs experimental designs and longitudinal analysis to study collateral consequences, gun ownership metrics, and political rhetoric's impact on crime control policies. Key trends include historical examination of presidential platforms (1968-2020), racial bias in punitive views (1974-2014), and economic influences on incarceration during the Great Recession. Information regarding Dr. Brown's graduate student mentoring, grant funding, laboratory affiliations, or research teams is not documented in the available sources.
Robert J. Smith serves as Executive Director & Senior Research Fellow at the Fair Punishment Project, a joint initiative of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute & Criminal Justice Institute at Harvard Law School. His professional focus centers on criminal justice reform with particular emphasis on racial disparities in capital punishment systems, implicit racial bias in legal proceedings, and constitutional challenges to excessive sentencing practices. Smith's scholarly contributions have significantly advanced understanding of how systemic biases operate within ostensibly race-neutral legal frameworks, particularly in death penalty cases across multiple jurisdictions. Smith's research program systematically examines the intersection of race, implicit cognition, and criminal justice outcomes. His empirical studies document patterns of implicit white favoritism and the 'race of victim effect' in capital sentencing determinations. His constitutional scholarship analyzes Eighth Amendment challenges to excessive punishment, exploring evolving standards of decency in American jurisprudence. A recurring theme throughout his work is how cognitive biases influence prosecutorial discretion, jury decision-making, and sentencing outcomes despite formal legal safeguards against racial discrimination. Smith's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly engagement with systemic issues in American criminal justice, particularly regarding racial disparities in capital punishment. His research combines rigorous legal analysis with social science methodologies to document how implicit biases operate across various stages of criminal proceedings. His work reveals that ostensibly neutral legal processes frequently produce racially disparate outcomes, suggesting the need for structural reforms to ensure equal justice under law. The interdisciplinary nature of his scholarship bridges legal theory, empirical psychology, and constitutional doctrine. Smith's leadership of the Fair Punishment Project has facilitated collaborative research initiatives examining excessive punishment practices nationwide. His work has influenced legal scholarship and practice by highlighting previously under-recognized mechanisms through which racial bias operates within the criminal justice system. Through his publications and institutional leadership, Smith has contributed significantly to contemporary debates about racial justice, constitutional rights, and the future of capital punishment in America.
