Janice Iwama, PhD

Janice Iwama is an Associate Professor in the Department of Justice, Law & Criminology at American University in Washington, D.C. Her research focuses on gun violence, school safety, and hate crimes. Specifically, her work focuses on evidence-based prevention strategies, institutional decision-making, and the intersection of safety, equity, and student well-being in educational settings. She brings an academic perspective grounded in applied research, policy analysis, and collaboration with public safety and community partners. She has partnered with federal and local agencies in identifying best practices, providing training, and developing resource guides to prevent and reduce hate crimes and gun violence. Her research has also been featured in several international and national news outlets including Al Jazeera, BBC News, Bloomberg News, NBC News, The Washington Post, Univision, and USA Today. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.