Personal profile
Research interests
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
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
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 -
Just one more sentence: challenges in identifying nonfatal strangulation in rape reports
Lovell, R., Regoeczi, W., Lewis, C. & Huang, D., Jan 1 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Policing.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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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Examining male sexual violence and victimization using previously untested sexual assault kits (via the SAK Initiative): part 1, male victims
Lovell, R. E., Widanaralalage, B. K. & Sabo, D. N., Jan 1 2025, In: Journal of Criminal Psychology. 15, 6, p. 661-684 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2 Scopus citations
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BJA FY24 Rural and Small Department Violent Crime Reduction Program
Lovell, R. E. (PI)
05/1/25 → …
Project: Research
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Human Trafficking Data Assessment, Prevalence Estimation
Lovell, R. E. (PI)
Collaborative to End Human Trafficking
10/4/24 → …
Project: Research
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FY24 Field Iniated: Encouraging Innovation
Lovell, R. E. (PI)
Bureau of Justice Assistance; Cuy Co Sherrif's Dept
10/1/24 → 09/30/27
Project: Research
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2019 SAKI CCPO DNA NCE
Lovell, R. E. (PI)
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office/Dept of Jucie
10/1/23 → …
Project: Research
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