Alison Marganski, Ph.D.

Dr. Alison Marganski is a criminologist whose work investigates the complex realities of violence — including both victimization and perpetration — with a particular focus on gender-based violence and its individual, social, and structural dimensions. Her research addresses a wide range of harms, including intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence, cyber/technology-facilitated abuse, stalking, and mass murder, and is guided by interdisciplinary and intersectional perspectives. She explores non-lethal as well as lethal violence, and the interrelatedness of violence. Central to her scholarship is an emphasis on how power dynamics, cultural norms, and systemic inequalities shape both violence and responses to it. Dr. Marganski’s work contributes not only to theoretical and empirical knowledge, but also aims to inform public discourse and policy. She has written for academic audiences, practitioners, and the general public, emphasizing the importance of connecting data with lived experience to promote real-world impact. Dr. Marganski works at the intersection of academic research, public engagement, and applied practice to better understand, prevent, and respond to violence in all its forms.

Education

• Ph.D., Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies – Rutgers University–Newark
• M.A., Criminal Justice – Rutgers University–Newark
• B.S., Criminology & Justice Studies (cum laude) – The College of New Jersey

Areas of Specialization

• Victimization and Victimology
• Mass Murder and Lethal Violence
• Gender-Based and Interpersonal Violence
• Technology-Facilitated Violence and Cybercrime
• Trauma, Resilience, and Recovery
• Applied and Clinical Criminology

Awards and Honors (Select)

Dr. Marganski has been invited to contribute her knowledge and insight to through engagements with the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, and Center for Victim Research. She was invited by the Mass Casualty Commission in Canada to share expertise during public proceedings focused on mass violence, IPV, and family violence. Additionally, she was selected by the American Society of Criminology’s Division on Women & Crime to present her work on technology-facilitated and in-person experiences of intimate partner violence to UN Women at the United Nations. She also has served as a reviewer for various national and international research bodies.

Some of her awards include:

• The Center for Urban and Regional Applied Research (CURAR) Fellowship (multiple years)
• The Rev. Msgr. A. Robert Casey Teacher of the Year (2024), Le Moyne College
• Faculty Career Mentor Award (2023), Career Advising & Development Office
• The Beatrice Robinson, Ph.D. Advisor of the Year (2022), Le Moyne College
• Friends of Gender & Women’s Studies Award (2022), the Gender & Women’s Studies Program, Le Moyne College
• Robert Ezra Park Award for Sociological Practice (2018), Association for Applied & Clinical Sociology
• Outstanding Faculty Awards, Finalist – Rising Star Category (2016), State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
• Service & Community Engagement Award (2015), Virginia Wesleyan College
• Faculty Teacher of the Year (2014), Division of Victimology, American Society of Criminology

Media Appearances & Public Engagement (Select)

Dr. Marganski has provided commentary on violence, gender, and social justice. Her insights have appeared in Reuters, Associated Press, Insider, Axios, NewsNation, Global News, The 19th, and Spectrum News, among others (e.g., DomesticShelters.org, 13 Hours podcast). She has been interviewed about topics including technology-facilitated abuse, mass shootings, and the normalization of violence in America.

She has also written for various media outlets, such as The Conversation: “Domestic Abusers Use Tech that Connects as a Weapon During Coronavirus Lockdowns” (2020).

Publications (Select)

Mass Murder

• Marganski, A. (2025). “Triggering Mass Murder by Firearms: Masculinity, Gender-Based Violence, and Interlocking Systems of Power.” Sex Roles.
• Marganski, A. (2023). “The Patriarchal Patterns of Male Mass Killers in America: A Typology.” In E. Madfis & A. Lankford (Eds.) All American Massacre: The Tragic Role of American Culture and Society in Mass Shootings (Temple University Press).
• Marganski, A. (2019). “Making a Murderer: The Importance of Gender and Violence Against Women in Mass Murder Events.” Sociology Compass.
• Marganski, A. (2012). “Serial and Mass Killers.” In W. R. Miller, (Eds.), The Social History of Crime & Punishment in America.

Intimate Partner/Sexual Violence

• DeKeseredy, W., Marganski, A., et al. (2023). “Race/Ethnicity, Negative Peer Support, and Polyvictimization Among College Women.” Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice.
• Marganski, A., Melander, L., & DeKeseredy, W. (2021). “Single, Repeat, and Poly Intimate Partner Violence Victimization among Women at a College Campus: Extending Research through the Inclusion of Technology-Facilitated Violence & Examining Key Social Determinants for Intimate Partner Violence Prevention.” Violence Against Women.
• Marganski, A. & Melander, L. (2021). “Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls in Public and Private Spheres.” In J. Bailey, A. Flynn, & N. Henry (Eds.) The Emerald International Handbook of Technology Facilitated Violence and Abuse.
• Gjika, A., & Marganski, A. (2020). “Silent Voices, Hidden Stories: A Review of Sexual Assault (Non)Disclosure Literature, Emerging Essues, & Call to Action.” International Journal for Crime, Justice, & Social Democracy.
• Melander, L. A., & Marganski, A. (2020). “Cyber and In-Person Intimate Partner Violence Victimization: Examining Maladaptive Psychosocial and Behavioral Correlates.” Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace.
• Marganski, A., & Melander, L. (2018). “Intimate Partner Violence Victimization in the Cyber and Real World: Examining the Extent of Cyber Aggression Experiences and its Association with In-Person Dating Violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.

Mental Health

• Żemojtel-Piotrowska, M. A., Piotrowska, J., …Marganski, A. …. Maltby, J. (2018). “The Mental Health Continuum – Short Form: The Structure and Application for Cross-Cultural Studies – A 38 Nation Study.” Journal of Clinical Psychology,
• Żemojtel-Piotrowska, M. A., Piotrowski, J. P., …Marganski, A., … Wills-Herrera. (2015). “Measurement of Psychological Entitlement in 28 Countries: A Multi-Study Report. European Journal of Psychological Assessment.
• Rode, D., & Marganski, A. (2014). “Psychopathology of Family Violence Perpetrators: The Personality Categorization of Perpetrators.” Current Issues in Personality Psychology

Applied & Community Work

Dr. Marganski brings extensive applied experience to her academic work. She has worked directly with victims/survivors of violence, individuals who have perpetrated harm, and professionals across justice-related services. Her collaborations span international, national, and local organizations, and partnerships with domestic/sexual violence agencies, reentry centers, and animal welfare organizations. She has also served as a consultant, trainer, and workshop facilitator on issues related to violence, trauma, prevention, and community response.

Commitment

Dr. Marganski remains deeply committed to leveraging research and teaching as tools for social change — connecting theory and practice to advance justice, inform prevention, and improve responses to violence in society.