Laurie Robinson, former Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, has taken a position with George Mason University as a professor of criminology, law and society.

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Laurie O. Robinson (DOJ)

Starting in the fall, Robinson will teach classes related to criminology policy and practice, in addition to serving as a senior fellow with the university’s Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy, according to a news release. ^[2] She will be the Clarence J. Robinson professor of criminology, law and society, which is part of a program designed to allow scholars to continue their pursuits while also working with undergraduate students.

Robinson left her post ^[3] at the department at the end of February, ending what was the longest tenure at the head of the Office of Justice Programs in DOJ history. She was confirmed by the Senate in 2009, and previously served at the helm of the office for seven years during the Bill Clinton administration. Mary Lou Leary has since filled her vacancy as the acting chief. In her position with the department, she oversaw the $2.5 billion criminal justice assistance program for state and local agencies, in addition to combating crime through research and development.

She gained experience in academia during her time away from the department, founding the University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Science Program in Criminology and working as its director.  She also was the recipient of the Edmond J. Randolph Award for Oustanding Service to the Department of Justice in 2000.

She is a graduate of Brown University.

“Laurie is the most influential policy maker in criminal justice in the United States today,” David Weisburd, professor and director of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy, said in the news release. “She will allow Mason researchers to more effectively bring their innovations to the world of criminal justice practice.”