Ryan Spohn, Ph.D.
University of Iowa, 2003
Interests: Delinquency, Criminological Theory, Child maltreatment, Law & Social Control, Political Sociology

Dr. Spohn's primary area of interest is the study of how social context influences the experience of child maltreatment.  Additional research interests in the areas of criminology and law include a critical approach to criminal justice practices such as juvenile detention, rates of incarceration, and the application of the federal sentencing guidelines.  His research in the area of political sociology has focused on the influence of religious involvement on political participation, attitudes towards the criminal justice system, and gun ownership. Current projects include an examination of the role of "fear of crime"on gun possession and gun-related delinquency amongst teenagers, and a cross-national examination of macro-level factors influencing incarceration rates.  Recent publications have appeared in Social Forces and The Southwest Journal of Criminal Justice. Dr. Spohn teaches in the areas of criminology, sociology of law and punishment, social control, and research metho ds.  His professional homepage can be accessed at http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~rspohn/ .