Shaping Safer, More Compassionate Systems
With decades of experience and a deep commitment to justice reform, Emily helps build systems that are smarter, more responsive, and rooted in dignity.
Council on Criminal Justice, Women's Justice Commission
In 2024, Dr. Salisbury was invited to be a Commissioner on the bipartisan Women's Justice Commission, led by the Council on Criminal Justice and chaired by former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The Commission's goals are to drive actionable policies that reduce the over-incarceration of women in the US. As part of this national leadership role, Dr. Salisbury has contributed to several key initiatives:
Transforming Justice Through Research
Dr. Emily Salisbury received the University of Utah’s Presidential Societal Impact Scholar Award in recognition of her public scholarship and community engagement, which have made a significant impact in advancing justice for women involved in the criminal legal system.
Spotlighted as a Research Groundbreaker
Dr. Emily Salisbury was featured by the University of Utah as a Research Groundbreaker for her work advancing justice reform and community impact. The spotlight highlights her leadership in developing tools like the MRNA and her commitment to bridging academic research with real-world solutions for justice-involved populations.
Empowering Women Through Research
Dr. Emily Salisbury collaborated with the Seattle Police Department and The IF Project to create a gender-responsive curriculum for the department’s Before the Badge initiative. She trained formerly incarcerated women to deliver this training, empowering them to contribute to justice reform while helping recruits better understand women’s pathways to incarceration, the complexities of domestic violence cases, and the impact of adverse childhood experiences.
Thought Leadership and Editorial Work
As former Editor-in-Chief of Criminal Justice and Behavior and a top-ranked criminologist, Emily has helped shape the academic field of criminology. Her scholarship challenges outdated models and advocates for interventions that recognize the unique needs of women.