~ RGVRC Affiliate Scholar ~

Alexandra Slemaker, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a research scholar for the Tourist Safety Institute. She earned her PhD in sociology at Iowa State University. Her interdisciplinary research uses qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine mass murder, specifically mass shootings and domestic terrorism. Slemaker’s work aims to understand the societal, psychological, motivational, and ideological factors that influence a perpetrator to commit mass violence and ways that can be used to create prevention strategies. She also studies the safety and security of places and spaces, particularly schools, universities, and public areas. Slemaker’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals including, American Journal of Criminal Justice, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, and Journal of Threat Assessment & Management.

She was previously employed at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where she participated in research and clinical work in child clinical psychology. She was involved in several federal and state-funded grants for youth with problematic sexual behavior and the prevention of child maltreatment. Her research on these topics has been published in journals such as Child Abuse & Neglect, Journal of Pediatric Psychology, and Qualitative Psychology.