About:
Dr. Watkins takes great pride in being an alumnus of the undergraduate program in criminal justice at BGSU. The required internship as part of the program was instrumental in helping him decide that working with at-risk and court-involved youth was a career interest. He worked with such youth in community and residential settings before earning his Ph.D. Dr. Watkins enjoys teaching face-to-face and online courses in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. In his free time, Dr. Watkins enjoys spending time with his family and being outside when the weather in northwest Ohio cooperates.
Education:
Ph.D., Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of Missouri-St. Louis
M.P.A., Publication Administration, Bowling Green State University
B.S., Criminal Justice, Bowling Green State University
Courses Taught:
Juvenile Justice
Senior Seminar
Research Methods
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Institutional and Community Corrections
Research Interests:
Juvenile delinquency, gangs, and juvenile justice
Research methods, data, and program evaluation
Victimization and victim-offender relationships
Selected Publications:
Rydarowicz, A., Kopf, S., Watkins, A., & Gresham, M. (2025). Three theories, one behavior: A comparative assessment of youth gun carrying through rational choice, strain, and social disorganization frameworks. Journal of Criminal Justice.
Watkins, A., Tompsett, C., Diggins, E., & Pratt, M. (2020). Voluntary uptake and continuation of treatment among court-involved youth: Lessons learned from the implementation of Functional Family Therapy in a community setting. Children and Youth Services Review.
Watkins, A. M., & Moule, R. K., Jr. (2014). Older, wiser, and a bit more badass? Exploring differences in juvenile and adult gang members’ gang-related attitudes and behaviors. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice.
Watkins, A. M., Huebner, B. H., & Decker, S. H. (2008). Patterns of gun acquisition, carrying, and use among juvenile and adult arrestees: Evidence from a high-crime city. Justice Quarterly.
You can find a complete list of my publications at my ORID profile.
