Dr. Joshua Williams joins the Department of Studies in Justice, Culture, & Social Change as an Assistant Professor this Fall. In 2018, Dr. Williams earned his Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri-St. Louis; then went on to teach at both Arkansas State University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. His research examines the social, political, and institutional forces that shape how the United States criminal justice systems punish offenders, including (but not limited to): the impact of neighborhood and county level factors on bail and sentencing decisions; judicial decision-making; state-level punishment trends in incarceration and corrections spending; and racial/ethnic disparities across all stages. Â
During his free time, Dr. Williams enjoys spending time hanging out with his dog, taking him to the park and on long walks/hikes. He also enjoys cooking and trying out new recipes to keep things interesting. Dr. Williams looks forward to getting to know UMD students, provide an enjoyable learning environment, and help mentor students.Â