Monday, September 9, 2024
"My goal is to emphasize the importance of going beyond the “textbook” answer to a question and exploring a problem through various perspectives." - Dr. Beatriz Amalfi Wronski

First, tell us a little about yourself. Beatriz Amalfi Wronski headshot
My name is Beatriz Amalfi Wronski. I was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and have been in Texas for almost 10 years now. I am a big city girl at heart, and I am big fan of football (I guess you can call it soccer!).

Why did you choose to study criminal justice?
Criminal justice has always fascinated me. My mother worked with marginalized populations as a speech therapist and always emphasized the importance of social justice, so it seemed natural to find a field of study that gives me the opportunity to learn about people and make a real impact.

What are your main areas of research, and why did you choose those specific areas?
All my research is on the field of corrections. I am interested in almost all aspects of the prison system, including incarceration itself and the reentry process. Specifically, I am interested in how older individuals navigate reentry and are able to desist from criminal behavior.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Witnessing students make connections between concepts they learned in different classes or bringing their lived professional experience to the classroom.

What do you hope your students gain from your courses?
I really hope my students learn some of the essential tools to exercise critical thinking. My goal is to emphasize the importance of going beyond the “textbook” answer to a question and exploring a problem through various perspectives.

What did you do before pursuing a career in academia, and why did you decide to pursue teaching instead?
I have worked in a Civil Court as a judge’s assistant and at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as an intern research analyst. Both these experiences were so important to my professional development but working in academia has always been my goal.

When you’re not teaching, what do you enjoy doing?
I love being at home and hanging out with my baby daughter! I also love watching a good crime documentary, a trivial reality tv show, or reading a Stephen King novel. And I am always ready for a good 3-hour nap!

Do you have any fun facts that others may not know about you?
I really enjoy live music and have seen some phenomenal performances by Ozzy Osbourne, Queen + Adam Lambert, Pink, Joss Stone, Iron Maiden, and many others. Also, I can solve a Rubik’s cube!