Profile

Dr. Jennifer Peck is an associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Central Florida. She earned her PhD in Criminology from the University of South Florida in 2014. Her research focuses on racial/ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system, the treatment of vulnerable groups throughout juvenile court processing, and under-resourced populations in courts and corrections. Dr. Peck’s recent publications appear in Justice Quarterly, Crime & Delinquency, Criminal Justice & Behavior, and Youth Violence & Juvenile Justice. She is the current Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Crime and Justice.

• Race/ethnicity
• Juvenile Justice
• Under-resourced groups

• PhD in Criminology, University of South Florida
• MA in Criminology, University of South Florida
• BA in Criminal Justice, University at Albany – State University of New York
• BA in Sociology, University at Albany – State University of New York

My primary research interest focuses on racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system, examining how a youth’s race/ethnicity is associated with decision-making and case outcomes in juvenile court. My work explores factors such as age, offense severity, type of offense, and disadvantaged community characteristics to understand under what conditions youth of color receive different court outcomes compared to White youth.

My secondary research interest examines the treatment of under-resourced and marginalized groups across various justice settings, including courts, community corrections, and prisons. This work analyzes diverse outcomes such as waiver to adult court, arrest and incarceration decisions, and court dispositions (sentences).

Together, my research aims to provide insights into how individual and structural factors intersect to shape juvenile and criminal justice outcomes for groups who need access to essential resources, services, and opportunities.

• Racial/ethnic disparities in juvenile court processing
• Treatment of vulnerable groups in the juvenile justice system
• Marginalized populations in criminal justice settings

Co-Leader - International Study of Under-Resourced Communities and Youth Resource Network. Center for Social and Civic Prosperity, College of Community Innovation and Education, University of Central Florida.

• (2024) Excellence in Service Award. Department of Criminal Justice. University of Central Florida.
• (2024) Travel Award for Recognition of Faculty Excellence. University of Central Florida
• (2022) Teaching Incentive Program Award. University of Central Florida
• (2020) Outstanding Mentor Award. Department of Criminal Justice. University of Central Florida.
• (2020) Research Incentive Award. University of Central Florida

• Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Crime and Justice
• Subject Matter Policy Expert, Crime and Justice Research Alliance
• Member, Dr. Kimchi Memorial Graduate Travel Award, Division on Corrections and Sentencing, American Society of Criminology
• Member, National Program Committee, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
• Member, Student Poster and Paper Competition Committee, Midwestern Criminal Justice Association
• Chair, University Travel Awards Committee, University of Central Florida
• Member, Honors in the Major/Honors Undergraduate Thesis (HUT) Committee, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Co-Faculty Advisor, Criminal Justice Graduate Student Association (CJGSA), Department of Criminal Justice
• Member, Doctoral Comprehensive Exam Committee, Department of Criminal Justice
• Member, Graduate Student Awards Committee, Department of Criminal Justice

• CCJ 3014: Crime in America
• CJJ 4564: Juvenile Justice System
• CJJ 6124: Prosecuting Juvenile Offenders
• CJJ 6546: Policing and Prevention in Juvenile Justice
• CCJ 6706: Data Analysis in Criminal Justice