Professor Dr. Katherine Beckett

Biography

Katherine Beckett is a Professor in the Department of Law, Societies & Justice at the University of Washington. Her research primarily analyzes the causes and consequences of changes in the criminal legal system and penal practices. Beckett has explored various topics, including the consequences of criminal justice expansion on social inequality, the role of race in drug law enforcement, and the administration of the death penalty in Washington State. Her recent book, 'Ending Mass Incarceration,' published by Oxford University Press in 2021, addresses the challenges and dynamics of mass incarceration. Throughout her career, she has worked with various civic organizations, including the Public Defender Association and the Racial Disparity Project. Beckett's work has garnered support from major institutions such as the National Science Foundation and the Ford Foundation, and she has received several awards for her research, teaching, and service, including the University of Washington’s Public Service Award. In 2016, she was elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences.

Research Interests