EMILY WEST

Senior Research Associate
Emily.West@islg.cuny.edu

Emily West is a Senior Research Associate, leading research projects aimed at developing more fair, equitable, and efficient criminal legal systems to improve community safety and wellness. Using a data-centered approach, Emily works closely with government agencies and community partners to develop strategies, monitor performance metrics, and track outcomes to ensure that policy and practice changes are having their intended impact. Her current work portfolio includes examining impacts of criminal legal system reforms on public safety, improving successful outcomes for those on probation, and supporting individuals with SUD/OUD as they reenter communities from jails.  Emily has more than 25 years of research and evaluation experience across a broad array of disciplines including criminal justice, education, and youth development. Prior to joining ISLG, Emily was the research director at the Innocence Project where she was responsible for developing a comprehensive database on DNA exonerations nationwide and analyzing internal client data to support policy reform efforts and more research on wrongful convictions. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in sociology and criminology. When not working, you can find Emily baking treats for family and friends, enjoying hikes and trips to the beach in her home state of Maine, and relaxing at home with her husband, two kids, and dog.