Casey Tisdale

Casey Tisdale, Ph.D., M.L.S. (she/they) joined UNCW as an Assistant Professor of Criminology in August 2026. She received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well as a Master of Legal Studies from the College of Law. They use mixed methodologies to research social perceptions of people who commit crime. Specifically, she is interested in intentions to punish people who commit economic-need-based theft and how empathy/dehumanization impact these punishment intentions. They are also interested in prosecutor decision-making surrounding plea bargaining.

She is originally from Hartville, Ohio. She has a dog named Shaemus - a miniature schnauzer mix. When they are not "nerd-ing out" about research, they enjoy baking sweets, going for walks, and playing strategy board games with friends.

Education

Ph.D. in Social Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.A. in Social Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.), University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dual-B.A. in Criminology and Psychology, Ohio University

Specialization in Teaching

Introduction to Criminal Justice
Sociology of Law

Research Interests

As an interdisciplinary legal scholar, I use quantitative and qualitative methodologies to better understand how human psychology influences legal decision-making informed by theories rooted in social psychology, therapeutic jurisprudence, and criminology. My research goal is to contribute to theory while informing future policy around legal decisions made for people who commit crime. Some of my research focuses are:
(1) empathy/sympathy for people who commit crime,
(2) prosecutorial plea decision-making,
(3) punishment intentions/decisions,
(4) re-entry and reintegration of people who were formerly incarcerated,
(5) collateral consequences, and
(6) quantitative scale assessment.