Explore UAB

Colleges & Schools

J. Frank Barefield, Jr. Department of Criminal Justice College of Arts and Sciences

Kent R. Kerley

Professor and Chair
krkerley@uab.edu
(205) 975-5701
UBOB 210

Research Interests: Corrections, religiosity, and drug careers

Office Hours: By appointment

Education:

  • BA, East Tennessee State University, Criminal Justice
  • MS, University of Tennessee, Sociology (Criminology concentration)
  • PhD, University of Tennessee, Sociology (Criminology concentration)

I was born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, at a time when President Nixon was about to resign from office and the nuclear arms race was about to begin. I was rooted firmly in the working class, and my parents worked multiple jobs and sacrificed mightily so that I could be the first four-year college graduate in our family. One of my father’s jobs was police officer, and I think that is the origin of my professional interest in criminal justice. I am married, have two kids, and eight grandkids that we call our Great Eight. Our journey after finishing graduate degrees at the University of Tennessee has included working at universities in Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. We are thrilled to be at UAB. Go Blazers!

Download Curriculum Vitae Opens a PDF. Scholars ProfileOpens an external link.