PhD in Criminology, Law and Society

Arden Richards-Karamarkovich, 2025

I received both my MA and my PhD from George Mason and have loved my graduate experience here. I have received so much support from my department, mentors, and peers.

What was your specific area of study and how did you choose it?  

I am a punishment/corrections scholar and I adopt a critical perspective to explore how things like gender shape individuals' experiences with the criminal legal system. My dissertation explored the concept of reentry survivorship-- the experience of surviving the high risks of death and social harms that formerly incarcerated individuals face. I found that while formerly incarcerated individuals are survivors, their location at the center of multiple systems of harm continues their need to survive.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

I feel really prepared to teach and discuss a wide range of topics because of my education and academic experiences. I have been given the support to dive deeply into my own interests and specializations, but I have also learned about topics that are far removed from my own research. This has given me a really wide breadth of knowledge that I am very grateful for and that I think will help me in the next stages of my career.

Which accomplishments during your time at George Mason are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my journal publications! At the start of my graduate career, publishing felt very daunting. With a lot of learning as I was doing, I was able to publish in some of my favorite journals and it is now a process that really excites me!

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your George Mason career?

All of the faculty and staff in the Criminology, Law and Society department have made my time at George Mason very meaningful! I am especially thankful for my advisor, Professor Janani Umamaheswar! She has supported my growth since day one and I am so grateful for her guidance.

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students? 

Grad school is a long haul with very spread-out milestones! I think it is really important to celebrate more than just the big accomplishments. Whether big or small, do something to recognize yourself for the things that start to feel mundane (but are indeed big deals): finishing a term paper, getting a revise and resubmit, submitting a proposal! This has helped me stay motivated and reflect on the progress that I have made.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

I am in the process of accepting a position as an Assistant Professor of Sociology. I am excited to continue my research with system-impacted individuals and teach the next generations!