History of the Division of Public Opinion & Policy (DPOP)

Founded Because of Necessity

Studies of public opinion have long been an integral part of the criminological enterprise, especially given the growing evidence that such sentiments influence police and court decision-making as well as criminal justice policy. With the advent of opt-in surveys (e.g., MTurk, Lucid, YouGov), scholars have moved beyond the use of extant national surveys (e.g., the GSS) and convenience samples (e.g., college students, local communities) to conduct studies based on primary data.  Increasingly sophisticated studies (e.g., using experiments) are proliferating in the social sciences generally and within criminology in particular. This research has focused on crucial policy issues, including studies on racial attitudes and policy preferences in corrections and policing. Furthermore, opinion research has implications for scholars’ involvement in public criminology, given that the “will of the people” potentially informs policy debates, including showing the progressive possibilities endorsed by the public. However, there was no current home for the various scholars working in the area of public opinion. Thus, the idea for the creation of the Division of Public Opinion & Policy was born in March 2021.

Here to Stay

DPOP has gained much traction in its inaugural year, accumulating more than 175 signatures supporting its creation as an ASC Division.  As advances in opt-in survey options and new technologies have democratized public opinion research, there are unprecedented research opportunities for virtually all scholars. The possibility to engage in primary data collection and to make novel substantive, theoretical, and policy-related contributions is more tangible than ever. The Division is committed to serving as a conduit for scholars engaged in such public opinion research to allow opportunities to share research, to learn new knowledge and technologies, and to build social capital and receive social support. A genuine, careful, and rigorous examination of public opinion and public policy can serve to enhance the scientific understanding of public opinion and its policy relevance. With the current political and social climate of the country and around the globe, public opinion scholars have the potential to empirically inform crucial policy decisions being made.

A Brief History

  • February/March 2021

    An Idea is Born

    Francis T. Cullen, Amanda Graham, Cheryl Lero Jonson, and Justin Pickett begin discussions on creating a home for public opinion scholars within the American Society of Criminology (ASC)

  • Official Process Begins

    Cheryl Lero Jonson and Francis T. Cullen speak with ASC Executive Director Chris Eskridge and begin the formal process to create the Division of Public Opinion & Policy (DPOP)

    March 2021

  • March-May 2021

    Distribute Petition

    Francis T. Cullen drafts the petition letter and ASC Deputy Director Susan Case distributes DPOP’s petition to all active ASC members (176 signatures were collected)

  • Developing Constitution and By-Laws

    Cheryl Lero Jonson accumulates and reads all ASC Division Constitutions and By-Laws and drafts the DPOP’s Constitution and By-Laws

    March-June 2021

  • August 3, 2021

    Submit Petition, Constitution, and By-Laws to ASC

    All required materials are submitted to ASC Executive Director Chris Eskridge for the creation of DPOP

  • Approval from ASC Executive Board

    ASC Executive Board approves the establishment of DPOP at the 2021 ASC Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois

    November 16, 2021

  • November 17, 2021

    Inaugural Meeting

    Inaugural meeting of DPOP, convened by Amanda Graham in person and Cheryl Lero Jonson and Francis T. Cullen over Zoom, is held during the 2021 ASC Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois

  • DPOP Officially Becomes ASC’s 19th Division

    After receiving the ASC Executive Board’s approval and holding the inaugural meeting, DPOP becomes the 19th ASC Division

     

    November 17, 2021

  • November 16, 2022

    DPOP Second Annual Business Meeting, First Annual Award Presentation, and Social

    The second annual DPOP business meeting is held at ASC in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Scott Duxbury receives the first annual Young Scholar Award. In the evening, the first annual DPOP social is held at Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery.

  • DPOP Annual Business Meeting, Annual Award Presentations, and Social

    The third annual DPOP business meeting is held at ASC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Colleen Berryessa receives the Young Scholar Award, and Dr. Brandon K. Applegate receives the inaugural Distinguished Scholar Award.  Newly elected Executive Board members assume roles in DPOP.  The second annual DPOP social is held at Strangelove’s.

    November 2023

  • November 2024

    DPOP Annual Business Meeting, Annual Award Presentations, and Social

    The fourth annual DPOP business meeting is held at ASC in San Francisco, California. Dr. Luzi Shi receives the Young Scholar Award, Dr. Francis T. Cullen receives the Distinguished Scholar Award, and Merin Salin received the inaugural Student Survey Award.  The DPOP Executive Board presented Cheryl Lero Jonson a Distinguished Service Award. Newly elected Executive Board members assume roles in DPOP. The third  annual DPOP social is held at The Lark.

  • DPOP Annual Business Meeting and Award Presentations

    The fifth annual DPOP business meeting is held at ASC in Washington, DC. Dr. Jonathan Reid receives the Young Scholar Award and Jangwon Kim received the Student Survey Award. Newly elected Executive Board members assume roles in DPOP.

    November 2025

DPOP Meeting Agenda Archive

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DPOP Photographs

View photos of DPOP members, meetings, and award winners

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