Carrie Pettus, associate professor, executive director, and founder of Florida State University’s Institute for Justice Research and Development, received the 2022 Social Policy Researcher Award from the Society for Social Work and Research. Dr. Pettus was honored for her notable research contributions to criminal justice policy reform.
SSWR is an international society of social workers and researchers representing more than 200 universities and institutions. SSWR advances, disseminates, and translates research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy to promote a diverse, just, and equitable society.
“I am truly honored to be recognized by the social work research community for contributing to policy reform,” Dr. Pettus said. “I would be remiss if I did not recognize and thank all of the partners I work with in communities, corrections, policing, prosecution, and leaders at the state and national level that use my research to help enact solutions to some of society’s greatest challenges.”
Motivated by her desire to support the well-being of individuals, families, and communities disproportionally impacted by the criminal justice system, Dr. Pettus conducts research to establish foundational principles of smart decarceration that align with social work ethics and values.
Dr. Pettus joined the faculty at Florida State University in 2018. She previously taught at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Pettus holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a bachelor of social work degree, and a master of social work degree from the University of Kansas. She earned a Ph.D. in social work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.