David McElhattan

Ph.D., Sociology, Northwestern University (2018)

Specialization

punishment and social control; sociology of law; race; criminal records

David McElhattan joined the Purdue faculty in 2018. His research focuses on relationships between criminal justice policy and social inequalities. He is particularly interested in the effects of criminal records on the life chances of record subjects and the roles of law and policy in constructing these consequences. His current work explores legally mandated criminal background screening in the United States, examining the rise of laws that institute background checks in areas ranging from employment and professional licensing to housing, volunteer work, and family rights.