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Research Opportunities

Did you know that, in addition to teaching, CJS faculty members conduct research in their areas of expertise? Students who are interested in research or learning about specific areas of CJS should take advantage of opportunities to help faculty with their research projects. Below are some current opportunities, but keep checking back for more!

Dr. Dawn Beichner

Currently has two ongoing research projects examining incarcerated women in jail and prison and their return home to their children and families.

Undergraduate and graduate student research assistants are needed for the following tasks:

  • Coordinating correspondence with research participants
  • Cleaning of the quantitative dataset (in SPSS)
  • Transcription of digital interview files
  • Organization of research materials
  • Literature searches and summaries of relevant articles
  • Searching for themes and patterns in the qualitative datasets
  • Possible occasional travel to Decatur Correctional Center or Champaign County Jail for research meetings

Research assistants on the project are eligible to receive academic credit for CJS 287 (undergraduate) or CJS 400 (graduate) – Independent Study. For more information, contact Dr. Beichner at dmbeich@IllinoisState.edu.