Ciara Peebles Doctoral Candidate Ciara Peebles is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Georgia, specializing in criminal justice, social policy, and systemic inequality. She holds a Master’s in Applied Sociology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Her research focuses on victimization, media framing, and racial disparities, with her master’s thesis examining race and victim blame in missing persons cases. Ciara has published multiple articles and served as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, contributing to state-wide criminal justice research. As an instructor of Sociology 3150: Criminal Punishment and Society, she engages students in critical discussions on mass incarceration and justice reform. Education Education: M.A. in Applied Sociology, University of Central Florida, 2021 B.S. in Psychology, University of Central Florida, 2019 Other Affiliations: Enter the name of department or institution you are affiliated with Research Read more about Ciara Peebles Research Areas: Crime, Law, and Deviance Race and Ethnicity Gender Awards, Honors, and Recognition Of Note: Black and Missing Audiochuck Scholarship, University of Georgia, 2023 Alfred E. Brown Scholarship- University of Georgia, 2022 Osbourne Graduate Fellowship, University of Georgia, 2021
Brittany Belser Graduate Student Other Affiliations: Enter the name of department or institution you are affiliated with Research Read more about Brittany Belser
Melissa Leizear Graduate Program Administrator Office Lead Melissa came to UGA after working in social work at a local hospital for two years. She is a proud UGA alum (and a huge UGA football fan!), earning her Bachelor of Social Work in 2013. For the past nine years, she has served as the graduate program administrator in the Sociology Department and has greatly enjoyed her time in this role. Melissa is always happy to assist with any questions or needs related to the graduate program. Education Education: UGA grad, BSW Class of 2013 Other Affiliations: Enter the name of department or institution you are affiliated with Research Read more about Melissa Leizear
“The End of College Football: On Harm and Exploitation in Big-Time College Sports.” Read more about “The End of College Football: On Harm and Exploitation in Big-Time College Sports.”
“The Encrypted State: Delusion and Displacement in the Peruvian Andes.” Read more about “The Encrypted State: Delusion and Displacement in the Peruvian Andes.”
“Drug War Capitalism, Disappearance & Community Resistance to Violence in Mexico.” *Sponsored by the Georgia Workshop on Culture, Power and History and the Willson Center for Humanities & Arts Read more about “Drug War Capitalism, Disappearance & Community Resistance to Violence in Mexico.”
