Megan is one of the PhD students on the Homo Juridicus project.

What is the focus of your PhD project?
My PhD focuses on the use of Evidence Based Practice in the American criminal justice system. Specifically, my research addresses how, and whether, American legal practitioners use Evidence Based Practice to adjudicate issues pertaining to decreasing criminal behavior.

Biggest challenge?
How I learn to navigate performing mixed methods research given administrative barriers and the pandemic lockdown.

Biggest achievement?
Me finding a way to actually apply the research in American legal practice.

Coolest accomplishment so far?
This achievement was completed through writing an amicus brief, which was filed in a case concerning criminal punishment in an American court. Utilizing the research to actually be applied to impact American legal thought is my coolest accomplishment to date!

Take-home message?
American criminal jurisprudence is deeply rooted in precedent, yest presents a unique opportunity to incorporate evidence based practice to potentially increase the efficacy of criminal sanction.