Welcome, I'm
Clay Driscoll

driscoll.clay@gmail.com

Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) - University of Cincinnati School of Criminal Justice


Adjunct Professor - Northern Kentucky University School of Political Science, Criminal Justice and Organizational Leadership

Research Associate - Northern Kentucky University Institute for Health Innovation

My research specializes in:

  • Research on public health and safety (policing, crime prevention, and substance use).
  • Large data collection and analysis, both quantitative and qualitative.
  • Implementation and evaluation of new technologies and policies.
  • Grant writing and technical support.

My teaching work focuses on:

  • Innovative and evidence-based teaching techniques.
  • Creating fun and comfortable learning enviroments.
  • Integrating both historical and modern perspectives and issues.
  • Supporting students throughout and beyond their education careers.


If you're interested in more information, you can:

Educational History

Doctorate of Philosophy - Criminal Justice

University of Cincinnati

Expected Completion: 2025

Specialization in Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention



Master of Science - Criminal Justice

University of Cincinnati

Completed 2020

Specialization in Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention



Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice

University of Cincinnati

Completed 2019

Minor in History

Professional Experience

Adjunct Professor - School of Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Leadership

Northern Kentucky University

August 2023 - Present

Organized and taught introductory courses focusing on policing in the United States and the criminal justice system as a whole. Also provided information and support to incoming undergradute students, as well as career guidance for advanced students.



Research Associate - Institute for Health Innovation

Northern Kentucky University

April 2022 - Present

Provided research support for project focusing on the use of public health insurance as a means for providing treatment for substance use disorder. Evaluation included a both qualitative and quantitative aspects. This included interviews of current clients and treatment personnel, as well as data analyses to determine areas of greatest need during an on-going substance use epidemic.



Graduate Research Fellow - School of Criminal Justice Virtual Reality Lab

University of Cincinnati, Digital Futures

August 2022 - August 2023

Assisted with the creation and evaluation of various virtual reality simulations centered on public safety. Simulations focused on innovative trainings for law enforcement as well as decision-making during potential criminal activities.



Graduate Research Assistant - Impact Accelerator

University of Cincinnati, CECH

January 2020 - August 2023

Assists faculty, staff, and research centers with large, collaborative, federal grant proposals. This included facilitating meetings, managing deadlines, and ensuring all materials were created and submitted in a timely manner. Work for this unit also includes aiding faculty and staff with strategically planning their research agendas. Assists in finding funding for various research projects within the the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology, and the larger University.



Graduate Research Assistant - Center for Police Research and Policy

International Association of Chiefs of Police and University of Cincinnati

August 2019 - November 2021

Focused on supporting ongoing research into best practices and policies for law enforcement throughout the United States. Concentrated on providing technical assistance on projects involving community-based crime reduction. Also assisted with grant-writing and database creation and management.

Ongoing Research

Evaluation of Norse Scrubs Camp

NKU Institute for Health Innovation, 2025

Norse Scrubs is a week-long summer camp designed to increase interest in medical-realted fields for high school students. The progam is especially focsued on helping underserved students in primarily rural counties.



Using Virtual Reality to Supplement De-Escalation Trainings

Supervisors: Dr. Cory Haberman and Dr. J.C. Barnes

University of Cincinnati, 2024

Examination of an agency-wide de-escalation trainining for law enforcement. Training utilized a well-known and established de-escalation program, PERF's ICAT. Virtual reality technology was also used to re-iterate the core concepts of the training to potentially increase its effectiveness over time.



Review of Kentucky's Peer Support Specialists

Supervisor: Dr. Valerie Hardcastle

NKU Institute for Health Innovation, 2023

Qualitative and quantitative review of Kentucky's peer support specialist (PSS) training program. PSSs are those who have experienced mental and substance abuse trauma in their past and use that experience to support those currently in treatment.



Systematic Literature Review of Using Virtual Reality as a Training Mechanism

Supervisor: Dr. J.C. Barnes

University of Cincinnati, 2023

Systematic literature review examining the potential for virtual reality (VR) devices to be used as a training tool in both rare and routine situations. Also examines why authors and researchers chose to use VR over more conventional methods.



Evaluation of County Jail Chemical Dependency Program

Supervisors: Dr. Valerie Hardcastle and Dr. Stacie Furst-Halloway

NKU Institute for Health Innovation, 2023

Examination of a successful substance use program that is part of an urban county detention center with the goal of finding what qualities made the program prosperous. Evaluation included interviews with personnel running the program, as well as current participants and those that had successfully completed the program. Evaluations of letters that participants had written to themselves before and after completion of the program was also included.



Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstration Evaluation

Supervisor: Dr. Valerie Hardcastle

NKU Institute for Health Innovation, 2022

Examination of substance use victims and their access to Medicaid during the COVID-19 pandemic. Primary goals were to examine quality of care for SUD patients and identify area that may require improvement or adjustment. Evaluation included a both qualitative and quantitative aspects. This included interviews of current clients and treatment personnel, as well as data analyses to determine areas of greatest need during an on-going substance use epidemic.



Public Survey on Perceptions of Racial and Religious Threats

Supervisor: Dr. Ben Feldmeyer

University of Cincinnati, 2022

Ongoing public opinion survey that examines the relationship between Americans' perceptions and reactions to racial and religious diversity within their communities.





Completed Research

Reducing Pediatric Traffic-related Casualties in Ohio with Flashing Warning Beacons

Supervisor: Dr. J.C. Barnes

University of Cincinnati, 2023

Working with local law enforcement partners to implement a novel traffic calming device in a school zone. Reduced driver speed significantly. Currently implementing the traffic calming measures in additional local school zones to better understand its impact.



Using Virtual Reality Technologies as Law Enforcement Training Devices for Burglary Investigations

Supervisor: Dr. J.C. Barnes and Dr. Cory Haberman

University of Cincinnati, 2022

Examination of the applicability of using virtual reality technologies and simulations as a training tool for routine burglarly investigations. Included experimental aspects to discover if specific investigation techniques are more effective at investigations than others.



Using Virtual Reality Technologies as Law Enforcement Training Devices for Stressful Situations

Supervisor: Dr. J.C. Barnes and Dr. Cory Haberman

University of Cincinnati, 2022

Examination of virtual reality technologies and their practical applications for training law enforcement officers. Primarily focused on the applicability of using VR for training for rare but stressful situations (e.g., active shooters). Use biometric feedback (e.g., heartrate) to discover if VR can be used to replicate stressful sitations and trainings.



Examination of Body-Worn Cameras and Complaints of Excessive Force

Supervisor: Dr. J.C. Barnes

University of Cincinnati, 2021

Ongoing examination of the amount of civilian complaints that a law enforcement agency receives in relation to proportions of body-worn cameras and sworn officers. Additional outcomes such as minority involvement in the agency are also being considered and examined.



Survey on Perpceptions of Police, Government Institutions, and Social Unrest

Supervisors: Dr. John Wright and Dr. Francis Cullen

University of Cincinnati, 2021

Ongoing public opinion survey that examines the relationship between Americans' perceptions of law enforcement, vaccination trends, and recent social unrest from right-wing and BLM populations.



Workplace Environments of Police Departments: Differences in Officer Perceptions

Supervisor: Dr. Joseph Nedelec

University of Cincinnati, 2021

Project comparing the perceptions of workplace climates that police officers hold against their time with the department. This research focused on opinions of the department through different themes such perceptions of policewomen, inter-beat cooperation, and commands structure.



Untitled Community Based Crime Reduction Evaluation

Supervisors: Dr. Robin Engel and Dr. Nick Corsaro

University of Cincinnati, 2019

Examination of the effectiveness of community-based crime reduction strategies among violent offenders. Based on an exploratory grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.



Journey to Overdose: An Analyzation of Overdose Victims

Supervisors: Dr. Sarah Manchak and Dr. Cory Haberman

University of Cincinnati, 2018

Detailed examination of the journeys that victims of the ongoing opioid epidemic endure before succumbing to their overdoses. Explores relationships and correlations between a victim’s home and the site of their overdose.



Examination of the Effectiveness of Cincinnati’s Quick Reaction Teams

Supervisor: Dr. Sarah Manchak

University of Cincinnati, 2018

Examining the effectiveness of task forces containing both law enforcement and mental health specialists; in regards to combating the ever-growing opioid epidemic with the appropriate treatment option for each individual.



Hockey Faces and Hockey Fights

Supervisor: Dr. Joseph Nedelec

University of Cincinnati, 2017

Comparison of the size of over 1000 faces of hockey players and the proportion of fights they win throughout their careers. Aimed at examining the relationship between an offender’s body and possible violent tendencies of from a biosocial perspective.



Categorical Crimes and their Effects on Recidivism

Supervisor: Dr. Joseph Nedelec

University of Cincinnati, 2017

Research aimed at identifying the probability of recidivism for specific types of offenders, based on the type of crime that they had recently received a conviction for.



Race, Violence and Policing: Frames Regarding Police Practice in Reality Television

Supervisor: Dr. Todd Callais

University of Cincinnati, 2016

Content analysis comparing the first 3 seasons of the television show COPS to 3 seasons in the late 2000s to examine whether and how the presentation of minority offenders and officers has improved or declined in the 30 years between seasons.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Click or tap the article title for access options


The Impact of In-Detention Treatment for Substance Abusers’ Sense of Self (2025, In-Review)

Carlos Munoz-Serna, Stacie Furst-Holloway, Valerie Hardcastle, Clay Driscoll , Joveria Baloch, Katherine Baltrusch, Eleanor Bicknell, and Emma Hargis

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology



The Impact of Race and Skin Color on Police Contact and Arrest: Results from a Nationally Representative Longitudinal Study (2024)

Michael TenEyck, Sarah El Sayed, Clay Driscoll, Krysta Knox

Race and Justice



The Effect of Checklists on Evidence Collection During Initial Investigations A Randomized Controlled Trial in Virtual Reality (2023)

Cory P. Haberman, Ming Tang, Clay Driscoll, Bradley O'Guinn, Calvin Proffit, and J.C. Barnes

Journal of Experimental Criminology



Other Publications



Virtual reality: What is It and Should Criminologists Pay Attention? (2025)

Jean-Louis van Gelder, Carmen Sergiou, Lisa Natter, Daniel Nagin, Aniek Siezenga, Dominik Gerstner, Margaret Webb, William McClanahan, Tim Barnum, Shaina Herman, Yikang Zhang, Janis Butz, Sara-Laure Faraji, Clay Driscoll, J. C. Barnes, Peter Wozniak, Wade Jacobsen

Criminologist

Reports

Click or tap the article title for access options


The Benefits of Kentucky Certified Peer Support Specialists for Medicaid Beneficiaries with SUD (2025).

Valerie Hardcastle, Gary Ozanich, Xiaoni Zhang, Imelda Castaneda-Emenaker, Clay Driscoll, and Joveria Baloch

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.



Evaluation of a Novel Continuity of Care Program for Women In-Detention with Substance Abuse Disorder (2025).

Valerie Gray Hardcastle, Stacie Furst-Holloway, Clay Driscoll , Joveria Baloch, Carlos Munoz Serna, Katherine Baltrusch, Eleanor Bicknell, Emma Hargis

Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network, Fairfax, VA.



Reducing Pediatric Traffic-related Casualties in Ohio with Flashing Warning Beacons: A Quasi-experimental Study (2023).

Robert Hirsch, Clay Driscoll, and J.C. Barnes

Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, Columbus, OH.



Interim Evaluation for Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstration (2023).

Valerie Hardcastle, Gary Ozanich, Xiaoni Zhang, Imelda Castaneda-Emenaker, Clay Driscoll, and Joveria Baloch

Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services, Frankfort, KY.



Final Report for OCJS Project: Virtual Reality Training for Ohio Law Enforcement (2022).

Cory Haberman, Heejin Lee, Ming Tang, Rachel Kail, Clay Driscoll, and J.C. Barnes

Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (2017-JG-A02-V6351), Columbus, OH.

Teaching and Instructor Experience

Research Methods in Criminal Justice

Northern Kentucky University

Undergraduate. In-person learning.



Criminal Procedure

Northern Kentucky University

Undergraduate. In-person learning.



Policing in America

Northern Kentucky University
University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash

Undergraduate. In-person and distance learning.



Introduction to Criminal Justice

Northern Kentucky University
University of Cincinnati Main and Blue Ash Campuses

Undergraduate. In-person and distance learning.



Ehtics in Criminal Justice (TA)

Northern Kentucky University

Undergraduate. Distance learning.



Policing in the Community (TA)

Northern Kentucky University
University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash

Undergraduate. Distance learning.

Presentations, Posters, and Talks

The Impact of a Novel In-Detention Substance Use Treatment on Women’s Recidivism and Self-Concepts

With Stacie Furst-Halloway, Valerie Hardcastle, Carlos Munoz-Serna, Joveria Baloch, Katherine Baltrusch, Emma Bicknell, and Emma Hargis

Presentation at the 81st Annual American Society of Criminology Meeting

Washington D.C. November 2025


The Impact of a Novel In-Detention Substance Use Treatment on Women’s Recidivism and Self-Concepts

With Stacie Furst-Halloway, Valerie Hardcastle, Carlos Munoz-Serna, Joveria Baloch, Katherine Baltrusch, Emma Bicknell, and Emma Hargis

Presentation at Max Planck In­sti­tu­te for the Stu­dy of Cri­me, Se­cu­ri­ty and Law.

Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. July 2025


The Impact of a Novel In-Detention Substance Use Treatment on Women’s Recidivism and Self-Concepts

With Stacie Furst-Halloway, Valerie Hardcastle, Carlos Munoz-Serna, Joveria Baloch, Katherine Baltrusch, Emma Bicknell, and Emma Hargis

Presentation at the Stockholm Criminology Symposium

Stockholm, Sweden. June 2025


“Virtual Reality is Expanding in the Consumer and Research Worlds, Why Not Yours, too?”

Presentation at the 80th Annual American Society of Criminology Meeting

San Francisco, CA. November 2024


Investigating Officer Presence (in Virtual Reality)

With Cory Haberman, J.C. Barnes, Ming Tang, Brad O'Guinn, Calvin Proffit

Presentation at the 80th Annual American Society of Criminology Meeting

San Francisco, CA. November 2024


Advancing Group Threat Theory Methods: Perception vs Reality in Data Collection

Lightning Talk with Brooke Marston and Krysta Knox

Presentation at the 80th Annual American Society of Criminology Meeting

San Francisco, CA. November 2024


The Effects of Body-Worn Cameras on Citizen Complaints: An Organizational-Level Analysis

With Brad O'Guinn

Presentation at the 80th Annual American Society of Criminology Meeting

San Francisco, CA. November 2024


In-Detention SUD Treatment and Its Impact on Sense of Self

With Stacie Furst-Halloway, Joveria Baloch, Katherine Baltrusch, Eleanor Bicknell, Valerie Hardcastle, Emma Hargis, Brittany Miller, Carlos Munoz-Serra

Presentation at the 96th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association

Chicago, IL. April 2024


Evaluating a Continuity of Care Program for Detainees with SUD

With Stacie Furst-Halloway, Valerie Hardcastle, Joveria Baloch, Chelan Beasley, Eleanor Bicknell, Madison Gibson, Emma Hargis, Brittany Miller, Carlos Munoz-Serra

Presentation at the 96th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association

Chicago, IL. April 2024


Is Perception Reality? Examining Exposure to Diverse Populations on Feelings of Racial and Religious Threat

With Brooke Marston, Krysta Knox, and Ben Feldmeyer

Presentation at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences' 61st Annual Meeting

Chicago, IL. March 2024


Introducing Your Criminological Research to Virtual Reality

With J.C. Barnes, Cory Haberman, and Cheryl Jonson

Presentation at the American Society of Criminology's 79th Annual Meeting

Philadelphia, PA. November 2023


The Effects of Investigative Checklists on Initial Burglary Investigations in Virtual Reality

With Cory Haberman, J.C. Barnes, Ming Tang, Bradley O'Guinn, and Calvin Proffit

Presentation at the American Society of Criminology's 79th Annual Meeting

Philadelphia, PA. November 2023


Racial Threat Theory or Contact Hypothesis: A Survey Pilot Test

With Brooke Marston, Krysta Knox, and Ben Feldmeyer

Presentation at the American Society of Criminology's 79th Annual Meeting

Philadelphia, PA. November 2023


Storytelling with Numbers: Using Data and Metrics to Achieve Individual and Team Goals

With Clair Green-Schwartz

Presentation at the National Council of University Research Administrators Region IV Spring Meeting

Sioux Falls, SD. May 2023


Leading Without a Title: The Untapped Potential of Graduate Student Leadership in Research Administration

With Daniel Foster and Krysta Knox

Presentation at the National Council of University Research Administrators Region IV Spring Meeting

Sioux Falls, SD. May 2023


Using Virtual Reality Simulations to Study Initial Burglary Investigation

With Cory Haberman, Ming Tang, J.C. Barnes, Bradley O'Guinn, & Calvin Proffit

Presentation at the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing Conference

Las Vegas, NV. May 2023


Racial Threat Theory or Contact Hypothesis: A Survey Pilot Test

With Brooke Marston, Krysta Knox, and Ben Feldmeyer

Poster Presented at the 60th Annual American Criminal Justice Society Meeting

Washington, D.C. March 2023


Racial Threat Theory or Contact Hypothesis: A Survey Pilot Test

With Brooke Marston, Krysta Knox, and Ben Feldmeyer

Poster Presented at the 78th Annual American Society of Criminology Meeting

Atlanta, GA. November 2022


Citizen Complaints and Departmental Diversity: A Preliminary Analysis

Poster Presented at the Eighth Annual University of Cincinnati Diversity Matters Research Day

Cincinnati, OH. February 2022


Workplace Environments of Police Departments: Differences in Officer Perceptions

Poster Presented at the 2021 Spring Research Conference.

Cincinnati, OH. March 2021


Workplace Environments of Police Departments: Differences in Officer Perceptions

Poster Presented at the Seventh Annual University of Cincinnati Diversity Matters Research Day

Louisville, KY. February 2021


Distance to Overdose: An Analyzation of Overdose Victims

Poster Presented at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Conference

Baltimore, MD. March 2019


Categorical Crimes and Their Effects on Recidivism

Poster Presented at American Society of Criminology Conference

Philadelphia, PA. November 2019


Categorical Crimes and Their Effects on Recidivism

Presentation at the University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Research Conference

Philadelphia, PA. April 2017


Race, Violence and Policing: Frames Regarding Police Practice in Reality Television

Paper Presented at a Round Table at the North Central Sociological Association Conference

Chicago, IL. March 2019


Weird Wonders of World War 2

Lecture Given to a US History Class at the University of Cincinnati: Blue Ash

Cincinnati, OH. March 2019

Skills and Qualifications

Data Collection and Analyzation
  • Various data management and analyzation languages and programs (e.g., SPSS, Stata)
  • Standard regression techniques, multi-level, and longitudinal modeling
  • Survey creation and distribution (e.g., Qualtrics)
  • Data visualization and distribution for researcher and practitoner audiences
  • Includes both quantitative and qualitative data
Crime Analysis and Mapping
Grant Writing and Support
  • Locating and synthesizing related literature
  • Procurement of funding sources
  • Detailed and succinct writing
Certified in Mental Health Crisis Response
  • "Question, Persuade, Refer" Certified
  • Mental Health First Aid Certified
Leadership
  • Superivsing both graduate and undergraduate students in a research lab
  • Graduate and Undergraduate Student Mentor, University of Cincinnati
  • Student Ambassador, University of Cincinnati

Awards and Honors

Graduated Magna Cum Laude University of Cincinnati 2019
Graduated Summa Cum Laude University of Cincinnati Blue Ash 2016
Dean's List University of Cincinnati 2013 - 2019
3rd Place - Undergraduate Paper Competition North Central Sociological Association 2016




Scholarship and Support

Guest Researcher Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security, and Law 2025
Criminal Justice Doctoral Student Research Grant University of Cincinnati 2022
Criminal Justice Graduate Research Assistantship University of Cincinnati 2020-2022
Funding for LUCID Survey Development and Distribution University of Cincinnati, Dr. Francis Cullen 2021
Graduate Incentive Award University of Cincinnati 2019
CECH Dean’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship University of Cincinnati 2017

Personal Interests

Beyond criminal justice, my research interests are primarily historical in nature. My primary interest has been on the 20th Century and its impact on the modern day. Recently, I have been studying the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and its modern-day comparisons. Basically, I'm a big supporter of the old phrase "those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it".



In my free time, I enjoy disc golfing, "regular" golfing, hiking, kayaking, and camping (more like glamping, let's be honest). Basically, anything that involves being outdoors. This supports my unhealthy addiction with taking pictures of everything that I see and claiming I'm a photographer.



When I'm not outside, I'm probably playing video games or building Legos. I've also been known to occasionally spoil my cat, Malcolm.