Adam Trahan, Ph.D.

Dr. Adam Trahan is Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at UNT. He earned a B.A. and M.A. in criminal justice and criminology at Sam Houston State University and a Ph.D. in criminal justice from Indiana University, Bloomington. Dr. Trahan has extensive research experience in capital jury behavior and decision-making. He has worked on several capital cases as a jury consultant. In these capacities, he has advised litigators during voir dire and jury selection using the Colorado Method to classify potential capital jurors. He has also conducted research on public attitudes toward harsh punishment. This research has explored support for capital punishment and extended incarceration in the U.S. and various countries throughout western and southern Europe. He has also collaborated on research exploring the effects of incarceration on families. This research has examined stigma experienced by families, the formation of prison visitation communities, the effects of incarceration on perceived legitimacy, and health effects on family members. His research has been published in leading criminal justice and criminology journals, and he has been invited to present the findings of his research to various criminal justice agencies across the country.