Cory Watkins

Biography

Cory Watkins’ research centers on environmental criminology and how place, social context, and organizational practices shape crime and justice outcomes. Using spatial analysis and geographic information systems, he studies how crime patterns emerge, cluster and shift across communities. His work connects criminological theory with applied analysis, examining how law enforcement strategies can be informed by deeper understanding of environmental and structural influences on offending.

A significant focus of Watkins’s teaching is the role of technology in modern policing. He evaluates the development and implementation of analytical and information-sharing systems designed to improve decision-making and operational efficacy. From early gunshot detection initiatives to web-based intelligence platforms and contemporary smart policing tools, his teaching and research explores how technological innovation can enhance response, coordination and accountability while remaining attentive to organizational and community dynamics.

Dr. Watkins recently expanded his interests internationally by presenting at two international conferences on topics of crime analysis and police and correctional officer selection, recruitment, and training. He is currently working with the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies (UCIPS) in Belgrade Serbia that has resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding between UCF and UCIPS. Multiple projects center around National Security and developing a Fusion Center infrastructure in Serbia, training operational analysts using the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s State Crime Analysis Certification process, and assisting in the assessment of psychological support building for all law enforcement officials in Serbia. These international efforts are supported by the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) with the U.S. Department of Justice in cooperation with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) with the United States Department of State. Over the last two to three years, Dr. Watkins has worked tirelessly to build strong international ties resulting in collaborative relationships between UCF and other educational institutions in the United Kingdom, Serbia, and other Eastern European countries.