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CJRP lab research areas includes psychology and crime. Our current focus is on applied and policy research. Areas of interest include pathways to incarceration, reentry, intersections between mental health and criminal justice system involvement, program evaluation and implementation, capital punishment attitudes, offender profiling and typologies, and informing violence prevention. We aim to work closely with criminal justice agencies or community organizations to evaluate or develop evidence-based programming. The students who work in our lab are typically interested in multiple methodologies and modes of research. Most of our work is with adults, although we sometimes conduct research with adolescents. Examples of lab projects include the evaluation of pre-release intervention (adapted from DBT) and post-release services to improve reentry among jail inmates, prediction of recidivism by psychological and structural variables, and the identification of risk factors and prevention of gun violence (which is a newer part of our work).

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Advisor: Dr. Edelyn Verona

Given the clinical scientist focus of the program, research is heavily emphasized and students that are recruited into our lab are typically interested in pursuing research or hybrid careers. Clinical programs are highly competitive, so strong letters of recommendation, grades, and prior research experience are very important.

Graduate students in the lab are highly productive, and come out with various publications, strong internships, substantial assessment experience, and in the last few years two of them have received predoctoral training grants from NIH. 

Information about the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at USF can be found here.

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CRIMINOLOGY
Advisor: Dr. Bryanna Fox

Dr. Fox conducts applied research on the psychological and developmental risk factors for criminal behavior and re-offending, develops evidence-based tools and training for law enforcement, and engages students ​in the research development, data collection, publication, and implementation process.

Graduate students assist with lab logistics and supervisions, attend weekly lab meetings,  and contribute to lab publications and presentations. 

Information about the Criminology doctoral program at USF can be found here.

Are you interested in the work we do? We welcome psychology, criminology and other undergraduate and graduate majors to join us!

Types of Activities Performed by Research Assistants

Research assistants (RAs) are involved in helping run subjects and entering data for different studies investigating violence and suicide risk, substance use, emotion and psychophysiology, and psychopathic personality or antisocial (criminal) behavior. RAs typically can get involved in multiple studies, and help with various tasks, including conducting literature reviews, recruiting participants, phone scheduling and sometimes interviewing.

RA's are required to:

• Be responsible and timely
• Commit 10 hours per week for 3 semesters 
• Attend mandatory weekly lab meetings 
• *Preferred: 3.2 GPA or higher

Letters of recommendation are only available to RAs that honor these commitments. Accepted RAs should only note this experience on their CV or resume if they meet the above requirements during their time in lab. 

Please direct any questions to Morgan Shayler. 

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