Professional Summary
Dr. Valerie Anderson is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati (UC). Professor Anderson is a community psychologist by training, receiving her Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 2015. Her approach to research is characterized by utilizing multiple methods to conduct interdisciplinary, community-engaged research to understand system responses to youth offending and victimization, and—more specifically—the circumstances and contexts in which these areas intersect. Her research program includes two substantive areas of inquiry: (1) system-involved youth and responses, and (2) experiences of victimization and trauma (with a primary focus on human trafficking). Given Dr. Anderson's background in community psychology, her examination of these specific topics spans multiple levels of analysis (e.g., individual, relational, environmental, socio-structural), cross-disciplinary theoretical perspectives, and multiple methodological approaches—relying on primary data collection and community-based collaborations with relevant agencies.
Dr. Anderson has served as the principal investigator on numerous studies funded externally by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, the Society for Community Research and Action, and internally through UC's Office of Research and the Center for Clinical & Translational Science & Training. Her recent research has been published in a variety of criminal justice (e.g., Criminal Justice and Behavior, Crime and Delinquency, Criminology & Public Policy), public health (e.g., American Journal of Public Health, Pediatrics, Journal of Adolescent Health), and psychology (e.g., American Journal of Community Psychology) journals.
Research Support
Grant: #2016-JG-HT-P6096 Investigators:Anderson, Valerie; Sullivan, Christopher 07-01-2017 -12-31-2018 Bureau of Justice Assistance Estimating the Prevalence of Human Trafficking in Ohio Role:PI $100,000.00 Closed Level:Federal
Grant: #CCTST PDG 2018 Investigators:Anderson, Valerie 04-01-2018 -12-01-2020 National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Examining the Characteristics and Context of Detained Girls’ Needs Role:PI $4,990.50 Awarded Level:Federal
Grant: #2019-JG-E01-V6465 Investigators:Anderson, Valerie 01-01-2022 -08-31-2022 Bureau of Justice Assistance Validating the Human Trafficking Screening Tool for Justice System-Involved Youth Role:PI 35617.13 Hold Level:Federal
Honors and Awards
2021 Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award University of Cincinnati
2020 New Scholar Award American Society of Criminology Division on Women & Crime
2020 Faculty Researcher of the Year American Society of Criminology Division of Victimology
2020 Impact Award Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Victimology Section
2020 Tory J. Caeti Memorial Young Scholar Award Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Section
2021 Academic-Community Research Partnership Award, Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training, University of Cincinnati
2022 Faculty Teacher of the Year American Society of Criminology Division of Victimology