Ethan M Higgins

Associate Professor

Ethan M. Higgins is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. His research interests are varied, but generally focus on policing, prisons, and culture. He specializes in the use of in-depth interviews, focus groups, and qualitative analytics.

Education

Ph.D. 2018 Criminal Justice, University of Louisville
M.S. 2013 Criminal Justice, Eastern Kentucky University
B.S. 2010 Criminal Justice, Eastern Kentucky University

Specialization in Teaching

Policing
Corrections
School Criminalization
Criminal Justice Culture

Research Interests

Selected Publications:
1. Higgins, E. M., Fisher, B. F, Overstreet, S., & Dawson-Edwards, C. (2024). Policing and the Safety Logic in the School Context: Perceptions of Danger and Definitions of Law Enforcement. Crime & Delinquency. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00111287241237982.
2. Higgins, E. M., Coffey, B. S., Fisher, B. W., Benetiz, I., & Swartz, K. (2021). School Safety or School Criminalization? The Typical Day of the School Resource Officer. The British Journal of Criminology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azab075.
3. Higgins, E. M., Swartz, K., Navarro, J. C., & Hughes, K. (2023). ‘They Might Not Kill You Today but They’re Going to Get You in the End’: The Correctional Subculture and the Schematization of Danger. The British Journal of Criminology, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azac099.
4. Higgins, E. M., Smith, J., & Swartz, K. (2022). “We keep the nightmares in their cages”: Correctional culture, identity, and the warped badge of honor. Criminology, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12306

Honors & Awards

UNCW FACULTY RESEARCH AWARD, 2023