PhD in Criminology, Law and Society
Taryn Zastrow, 2024
Describe your dissertation, thesis, or capstone.
My article-based dissertation explores the variability between crime hot spots through the perceptions of the residents living in them. In the first article, I use responses from a random sample of residents living in 50 different crime hot spots in Phoenix, Arizona, to assess their level of support for police in their communities. Specifically, this study first asks if residents want more, the same amount, or less policing. Second, I ask whether this attitude is dependent on certain individual and contextual factors, including demographics, perceptions of police performance, and block context.
In the second article, I utilize data from a multi-site randomized control trial to assess variability in collective efficacy at the micro-geographic level across four unique U.S. cities. Here, I ask whether collective efficacy in crime hot spots varies across street segments and across cities. If so, what predicts this variability, and do these influences vary by city? Multilevel models are employed to explore these issues.
Overall, this dissertation points to the importance of more closely examining crime hot spots themselves, particularly through the perspectives of those who live in places experiencing disproportionate amounts of crime. This dissertation suggests that during a time of heightened friction between police and civilians, police leaders must develop strategies that reduce and prevent crime in these crime hot spots without alienating residents or contributing to community deterioration.
How did you choose your specific area of study?
While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I worked as a research assistant for the Psychology Department and interned at the local police department. These experiences developed my interest in criminal justice policy and reform, and I discovered my passion for empirical research. After I graduated, I had the opportunity to merge these interests at the National Policing Institute, where I worked on projects focused on public safety and police reform through rigorous research. This ultimately led me to pursue a PhD in Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University.
How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?
The classes I took as a graduate student built a foundation for me to become an independent scholar. Through this, I developed the skills needed to carry out high-quality research on topics that interested me.
Which accomplishments during your time at Mason are you most proud of?
I'm very proud of the works I published with my colleagues during my time at Mason, such as a book where I served as co-editor and a journal article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?
My PhD advisor, Professor David Weisburd, has had a tremendous impact on my academic career at Mason. It's been incredible to work with a world-renowned criminologist such as him, as I've had opportunities to work on ground-breaking research with teams of incredible scholars. He saw my potential before I did and went above and beyond to make sure I succeeded in the PhD program.
What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?
Build your community both inside and outside of your academic program. Cohort and peer support was incredibly important for me as a graduate student, as was my social network outside of academia.
What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?
I'm currently a post-doctoral fellow in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy. Long-term, I hope to continue my contributions to evidence-based crime policy through rigorous research.