Rebecca Hanson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology & Law
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Rebecca Hanson studies the nexus of violence, policing and state power. Her goal: Examining how governments, institutions and communities respond to crime and instability — and how those responses can sometimes deepen the very problems they aim to solve.
She studies patterns of violence and repression across Latin America, with a particular focus on Venezuela. Her work challenges common assumptions about the causes of crime, showing that state policies such as the militarization of policing can play a central role in shaping insecurity. Her research provides “essential insight into these urgent challenges for scholars, journalists, policymakers and international organizations,” she says. That helps bring rigorous evidence to debates that often rely on untested strategies.
Her research stands out for both its depth and reach. Drawing on comparative studies across multiple countries, Hanson connects local experiences to broader regional and global trends. Her work combines detailed, in-depth field research with larger collaborative projects. That makes her work an important voice that advances understanding across disciplines while drawing significant attention beyond academia, department chair Stephen Perz said.
In recent years, Hanson’s scholarship has expanded into new areas of impact. She is completing a major comparative study of armed groups across seven countries and is helping to launch the Venezuela Research Consortium, an initiative to bring together research and policy expertise around one of the region’s most urgent challenges. Her work as a public scholar reaches wide audiences through major international media outlets, where she provides analysis of rapidly evolving events.
At a time when violence, migration and political instability are central global concerns, Hanson’s research informs public debate. She is frequently called upon by journalists, policymakers and international organizations, reflecting the ability to translate complex research into crucial, real-time insights. Through her scholarship, public engagement and leadership, she is not only contributing to conversations about violence and governance — she is helping define them.