Rate My Professor Tracy Meehan

Tracy Meehan is an Associate Lecturer and PhD Candidate in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice within Griffith University's Arts, Education and Law group. Her primary research focus centers on intimate partner sexual violence among young people, drawing from 25 years of forensic data to identify trends, risk factors, and intervention points aimed at breaking cycles of abuse. Specifically, her PhD thesis, titled "Breaking the Cycle: Preventing Sexual Violence in Intimate Partner Relationships Among Young People," under the supervision of Associate Professor Jesse Cale and Professor Benoit Leclerc, examines referral patterns to forensic services in Queensland, demographic and relational characteristics, and the impact of risk and protective factors on the persistence or desistance of such violence. This work seeks to delineate developmental pathways and key opportunities for prevention and intervention to enhance treatment strategies. Tracy's broader academic interests include youth justice, advanced criminology theory, mental health psychology, fraud and cybercrime, law, and crime prevention.

Alongside her research, Tracy possesses extensive experience in teaching and curriculum design across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including course convening and tutoring. She is dedicated to creating inclusive, student-centred learning environments that foster active participation, critical thinking, and professional growth. Tracy has received multiple teaching awards, including a Group Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning in 2023, underscoring her commitment to innovative and high-quality educational experiences. Her scholarly contributions include several chapters in the 2024 publication Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice: An Australasian Perspective: "Sociological Theories of Crime: Strain Theories" (with Lucy Forrester and Jaana A. Haaja), "The Importance of Friendships: Social Learning Theory" (with Melissa Osborn), "You Made Me Do It: Social Reaction Theory" (with Antoinette L. Smith), and "Nature versus Nurture: Biosocial Theories of Crime" (with Antoinette L. Smith). Her professional background incorporates community engagement roles that complement her academic endeavors.