Scholarly Contributions per year
Scholarly Contributions per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Gender-based violence; sexual assault/rape; intimate partner violence; human trafficking; applied research; victimology; evaluation; program evaluation; quantitative methodology
Biography
Dr. Rachel E. Lovell is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Director of the Criminology Research Center at the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. A criminologist and methodologist, she specializes in applied research and evaluation, collaborating closely with criminal justice agencies, community organizations, and public and social service systems. Her work focuses on issues including sexual assault, sexual assault kits, human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and gun violence. An accomplished scholar, Dr. Lovell has secured nearly $8 million in external funding since 2013, published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and recently served as lead editor of the monograph Sexual Assault Kits and Reforming the Response to Rape.
Teaching interests
Victimology; criminology; statistics; evaluation; program evaluation; interpersonal violence; research methods
Education/Academic qualification
Sociology, Ph.D., Gender differences in the patterns and consequences of occupational-career interruptions: A comparative analysis of the United States, Sweden, and Poland, The Ohio State University
… → 2007
Sociology, M.A., Is jury consulting effective?: Attornyeys' and consultants' perceptions, Baylor University
… → 2001
Sociology, B.A., Baylor University
… → 2000
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Teaching
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Decoding Disbelief: Using Natural Language Processing's Sentiment Analysis to Assess 24 Years of Unfounded Rape Reports Narratives
Lovell, R. E., Caporale, L. & Du, J., Feb 1 2026, In: Behavioral Sciences and the Law. 44, 1, p. 47-62 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Evaluating Specialized Prosecution & Cellebrite Technology in Reducing Violent Crime. Final Report.
Lewis, C. & Lovell, R. E., 2026Research output: Other contribution
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Evaluation of the Cleveland Division of Police’s Implementation of SpotShotter. Final Report
Kent, S. L. & Lovell, R. E., 2026Research output: Other contribution
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“There’s Gotta’ be a Better way … There was Nothing Empowering About any of it”: Survivors’ and Stakeholders’ Narratives on the Barriers and Facilitators of Getting a Sexual Assault Kit
Lovell, R. E., Sabo, D. N. & McGuire, M. J., Feb 1 2026, In: Violence Against Women. 32, 2, p. 545-570 26 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Evaluation of the Northern Ohio Violent Crime Consortium. Final Report
Lovell, R. E., 2025Research output: Other contribution
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Rural & Small Department Violence Crime Reduction Grant, FY 2024
Lovell, R. E. (PI)
US Department of Justice. Bureau of Justice Assistance
10/1/25 → …
Project: Research