Hi, I’m Professor Spivey. 👋🏻
I study the collateral consequences of exposure to the criminal justice system at structural, social, and individual levels. These generally affect reentry, or the process of returning to society after a period of confinement.
One particular collateral consequence I am interested in is the stigmatization that often accompanies a criminal record, criminal conviction, and/or incarceration.
Reentry affects us all. Substantially improving reentry outcomes requires knowledge and understanding of the reentry process—including stigmatization.
RESEARCH
I am passionate about research that underscores the intended and unintended consequences of exposure to the criminal justice system.
Generally, I am interested in the process of reentry and the constellation of barriers—including invisible punishments—that individuals face in navigating life post-arrest, post-conviction, or post-incarceration.
My current research interests include, but are not limited to:
- Reentry
- Intersectionality
- Criminal record stigma
- Modified labeling theory
- Stigma resistance
- Desistance
TEACHING
Several professors throughout my undergraduate and graduate career challenged me to approach subjects from different perspectives, which led to new insights and realizations. I strive to generate “ah-ha” moments for my students as well.
Student engagement is important to me. It is essential that students are directly involved in the learning process. Throughout my lectures, I facilitate small-group and class discussion. Moreover, my courses incorporate application exercises to encourage students to engage with the material.
I have taught the following courses as an independent instructor:
- Statistics for Criminal Justice
- Intro to Criminological Theory
- Juvenile Justice
Emily D. Spivey, Ph.D. 