Degrees

Ph.D., M.A., B.A., University of Central Florida

Short Bio

Dr. Rae Taylor joined the Loyola faculty in the fall of 2009 after completing her Ph.D. at the University of Central Florida.  Her doctoral dissertation involved examining pregnancy as a risk factor for multiple dimensions of lethal and non-lethal intimate partner violence, including physical and sexual violence, stalking, threats of death, and power and control.  During her tenure as a doctoral student, she was the recipient of several teaching and research awards, including the prestigious University Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching in 2008. 

Dr. Taylor’s research and teaching interests include intimate partner violence and other violent crimes, societal and organizational responses to violent crime, social inequalities, research methodology, and criminological and sociological theory.  She has published research articles in Violence Against Women and Homicide Studies, and wrote an entry for the Encyclopedia of Victimology and Crime Prevention on court advocacy.   She has taught many courses over the past several years, ranging from general criminology and sociology courses to advanced level substantive areas such as murder and domestic violence.  In addition, Dr. Taylor has worked as a data analyst and policy consultant for CourtWatch Florida, a non-profit court monitoring and advocacy organization, and been involved with several community based research projects pertaining to homelessness and other areas.

Prior to returning to graduate school for her doctoral studies, Dr. Taylor worked in the criminal justice system as a victim advocate for the Office of the State Attorney in Orange County, Florida.  She worked on hundreds of criminal cases involving domestic violence, stalking, violations of injunction, sexual assault, and other felony crimes, and taught a weekly course on domestic violence awareness and the criminal justice process to victims of domestic violence.  In 2003, she attended the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute through the Office of the Attorney where she became a designated victim services practitioner.  It was her work as an advocate and her experience in the criminal justice system that inspired Dr. Taylor to pursue her Ph.D and a career in academia.  She believes that teaching and research provide her with the greatest opportunity to contribute to understanding and awareness, prevention, and reform.

In addition to her academic degrees, Dr. Taylor holds a graduate level certification in domestic violence and has been inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta National Honor Society and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.  She is a member of several professional organizations including the American Society of Criminology, the Homicide Research Working Group, and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, where she regularly presents her research.

Dr. Taylor is honored to be a part of Loyola University New Orleans and the New Orleans community.  She looks forward to working with her students to make important contributions to the university and greater community during this exciting time of promise and hope. 

Courses Taught

• Criminology-Fundamentals
• Women and Crime
• Research & Statistical Methods