Dr. Ava Thorpe

Dr. Ava Thorpe is a criminal justice scholar and practitioner with expertise in law enforcement, forensic research, and data analytics. She holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, where her research examined burnout and occupational stress among medicolegal death investigators. She also earned a master’s in criminal justice with dual specializations in Forensic Science and Forensic Psychology, and a bachelor’s in legal studies (Magna Cum Laude). Currently, Dr. Thorpe is completing a Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration on data analytics, expected in 2026. A Fulbright Global Award recipient and former Library of Congress AHHA Research Fellow, Dr. Thorpe, brings extensive practitioner experience to her academic and programmatic work. She holds POST certifications in Basic Law Enforcement and Probation and Parole, which inform her applied research and curriculum design. Her work focuses on integrating data-driven methodologies and technological applications into criminal justice education, policy development, and investigative practice. Through program development and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Thorpe advances innovation in justice system modernization, emphasizing analytical precision, operational resilience, and evidence-based decision-making.