Raleigh Blasdell

Dr. Raleigh Blasdell (she/her), known to most students as "Prof. B.," is Associate Professor of Criminology and Chair of the Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology at North Central College. She teaches courses across the criminology curriculum and is committed to helping students connect criminological theory with the real-world issues shaping crime, law, and justice today.

Her research focuses on victimization, policing, restorative justice, and the experiences of historically marginalized communities. She is particularly interested in making criminological research accessible to broader audiences and frequently explores how criminological concepts help explain current events.

Before entering higher education, Dr. Blasdell worked as a victim advocate serving women and children who had experienced abuse and later as a terrorism intelligence analyst. These professional experiences continue to shape her teaching, scholarship, and commitment to bridging research and practice.

Dr. Blasdell earned her Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of South Florida and both her B.A. and M.S. in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University. She also completed postgraduate study at the Tokiwa International Victimology Institute in Mito, Japan.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys hiking, reading, cooking vegetarian and vegan meals, spending time outdoors, and attending live theatre and sporting events with her partner, Christopher (a very talented artist).   

Follow Prof. B. on Instagram: @ncc_profb and @CriminologyInTheWild 
Prof. B.'s Website: raleighblasdell.com
Follow the SCA Department on Instagram! 

Selected Scholarship

* Denotes student co-author

Blasdell, R. (2025) The opinion on Donald Trump's mass detention and deportation orders in European newspapers. European Society of Criminology (EuroCrim 2025): Athens, Greece.

Kulpinski, A.*, Bank, S.*, & Blasdell, R. (2023). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and domestic violence. Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence [5,940 words]. Springer.

Blasdell, R., Kilburn, M., & Krieger-Sample, L. (2022). The Global Leadership Summit in prison: Innovation in rehabilitation, restoration, and reentry. Advancing Corrections, 13, 162-175.

Blasdell, R., & Kilburn, M. (2022). College students’ perceptions of police violence on social media: A replicated study. Western Society of Criminology: Honolulu, HI.

Blasdell, R., Krieger Sample, L., & Kilburn, M. (Eds.). (2021). Invisible victims and the pursuit of justice: Analyzing frequently victimized yet rarely discussed populations. IGI Global.

Blasdell, R. (2021, January). Walking the walk: Implementing restorative justice principles in college-level restorative justice education. Second Chance Monthly Newsletter. Male Empowerment Now Adult Re-Entry Program: Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium, Inc.

Blasdell, R. (2021). The co-occurrence of physical and sexual intimate partner violence among U.S. college females. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 16(1), 97-109.

Blasdell, R., Kilburn, M., Krieger Sample, L., & Oakes, R.* (2021). Violence against healthcare workers. Invisible victims and the pursuit of justice: Analyzing frequently victimized yet rarely discussed populations. (pp. 137-170). IGI Global.

Blasdell, R., Sharp Parker, A., Waldrop, L.*, and Toney, B.* (2019). Content analysis of depictions of terrorism in U.S. major motion pictures: A social constructionist perspective. International Conference on Social Justice: London, UK.

Blasdell, R. (2019). The utility of the “clapback” – Using Twitter to teach Criminological Theories. Midwestern Criminal Justice Association: Chicago, IL.

Booker, C.* & Blasdell, R. (2018). Entertainment television’s depiction of female police officers over time. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences: New Orleans, LA.

Newman, M.*, Booker, C.*, and Blasdell, R. (2017). Criminological theory as represented in modern films. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences: Kansas City, MO.

Blasdell, R. (2016). The intersection of race, gender, and class in routine activities. Race, Gender, and Class Journal, 22(3-4).

Courses Taught

CRIM*100: Introduction to Criminology

CRIM*220: Crime, Law, and Society

CRIM*300: Intersections of Crime

CRIM*330: Policing & Corrections

CRIM*340: Criminal Justice System

CRIM*496 & CRIM*498: Criminology Senior Thesis (I & II)

CRIM*497: Criminology Internship

SOCI*200: Social Inquiry - Quantitative

SOCI*250: Pathways in Sociology

SOCI*290: Race & the Criminal Justice System

SOCI*400: Culminating Experience

CARD*260: Comparative Justice Systems - England

HONR*290: Crime, Media, & Popular Culture