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University of Tampa's Plant Hall

The vision of the Criminology Institute for Research and Training (CIRT) is to become a catalyst and leader in research for criminal justice related organizations locally and nationwide.

Organized in 2023, the CIRT is designed to offer a variety of academic pursuits including: education for students and training for criminal justice professionals; engaging in local, regional, and nationwide criminal justice research and policy events; publishing and promoting high-level multidisciplinary research; expanding faculty and student reach in grant and funding opportunities; and coordinating further collaboration with local criminal justice agencies.

CIRT is based out of the College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education (CSSME) and is linked to the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at The University of Tampa. The CIRT supports research and training between faculty, students and criminal justice agencies in an effort to improve policy and practice.

CIRT Functions

The CIRT supports the overall vision of The University by further strengthening existing programs and departments, furthering the training and success of graduate students, increasing the recognition of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice as well as UT, while also creating external funding opportunities.

The CIRT has four specific functions:

  1. Encourage networking and collaboration between UT scholars and criminal justice agencies and businesses;
  2. Provide learning resources and training for students, faculty and criminal justice professionals;
  3. Prepare students for future careers in the ever-changing field of criminal justice; and
  4. Provide a central hub for the intersection of research, training and student engagement within the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. 

Faculty Interests and Specialties

Brandon Dulisse, Director of CIRT, Email: Bdulisse@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Corrections, Cybercrime, Financial Crime, Criminal Justice Policy   

Nate Connealy, Associate Director of Consultation and Training, Email: Nconnealy@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Policing/Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Policy, Quantitative Data
  • Training and Skills: GIS, Statistics, Crime Mapping 

Chivon Fitch, CIRT Liaison to the Industry Advisory Board, Email: Cfitch@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Policing/Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Policy, Victimization, Corrections, Social Justice/ Criminal Justice Reform
  • Training and Skills: Statistics and Data Analysis 

Tim Hart, Associate Director of Research and Engagement, Email: Thart@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Victimization, Crime Analysis/Mapping
  • Training and Skills: GIS, Statistics and Data Analysis 

Amanda Osuna, Research Associate, Email: Aosuna@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Victimization, Vulnerability and Intersectionality
  • Training and Skills: Qualitative Research Methods 

Leo Genco, Research Associate, Email: Lgenco@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Violent Crime, Wildlife and Environmental Crime, Animal Cruelty
  • Training and Skills: Statistics and Data Analysis 

Carly Hilinski-Rosick, Research Associate, Email: Chilinskirosick@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Victimization, Corrections 

Cedric Michel, Research Associate, Email: Cmichel@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Criminal Justice Policy, Victimization, Courts/Sentencing, Criminal Justice Reform, White-Collar Crime, Death Penalty 

Kathryn Branch, Research Associate, Email: kbranch@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Victimization 

Kayla Toohy, Research Associate, Email: ktoohy@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Victimization, Violent Crime
  • Training and Skills: GIS, Quantitative Data Analysis 

Rhissa Briones Robinson, Research Associate, Email: rrobinson@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Victimization, Violent Crime, Juvenile Delinquency, Theoretical Approaches
  • Training and Skills: Statistics, Data Analysis 

Gabriel Paez, Research Associate, Email: gpaez@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Policing/Law Enforcement, Victimization
  • Training and Skills: Statistics, Data Analysis 

Cassidy Tevlin, Research Associate, Email: ctevlin@ut.edu

  • Specialties: Criminal Justice Policy, Juvenile Justice, Developmental Criminology, Biosocial Criminology 

Events

1ST ANNUAL GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

April 24, 2024
1—3 p.m.
Location: Music Room in Plant Hall

RSVP

Contact bdulisse@ut.edu by Jan. 30, 2024