Expertise
Quantitative methods; Program Evaluation; Recidivism; Sex Offense PolicyResearch Interests
Prisoner Reentry; Sex Offender Policy; Program Evaluation; Quantitative Methods.
Education
Ph.D.: Criminal Justice, Michigan State University (2014)M.S.: Criminal Justice, Michigan State University (2009)
B.S.: Criminal Justice, Northeastern University (2006)
Selected Awards and Honors
- Excellence in Graduate Teaching - University of Massachusetts Lowell, Office of the Provost, 2025
- Distinguished New Scholar - American Society of Criminology Division on Corrections and Sentencing, 2020
Selected Publications
- Rydberg, J., Cole, K., Reilly, M.*, and McGarrell, E. F. (Forthcoming). Describing the hazard of recidivism among individuals convicted of sex-related offenses: Results from a long-term follow-up in Michigan. Criminal Justice and Behavior.
- Rydberg, J. and DeZago, L.* (Forthcoming). Skepticism in science and punitive attitudes. Journal of Criminal Justic
- Rydberg., J., Greene-Colozzi, E. A., McGarrell, E. F., and Perry, S.* (Forthcoming). Using Bayesian mixed effect generalized linear models to evaluate criminological interventions: An application to firearm seizures during directed patrol. Journal of Quantitative Criminology
- Rydberg, J., Socia, K.M., Dum, C., and Cole, K. (2025). Shooting the messenger: How expert statements on stigmatized populations negatively impact perceived credibility. Justice Quarterly, 42(1), 64-89
- Rydberg, J., Huebner, B., Grommon, E., and Miller, A.* (2023). Investigating the effect of post-release housing mobility on recidivism: Considering individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 35(5), 539-567
- Rydberg, J., Cassidy, M., & McGarrell, E. F. (2022). Modeling shifts in community corrections populations following COVID-19: Evidence from a Midwest metropolitan area. Corrections: Policy, Practice, and Research 7(5), 398-414
- Socia, K.M., Rydberg, J., and Dum, C. P. (2021). Punitive attitudes towards individuals convicted of sex offenses: A vignette study. Justice Quarterly, 38(6), 1262-1289.
- Thompson, L.*, Rydberg, J., Cassidy, M., and Socia, K. M. (2020). Contextual influences on the sentencing of individuals convicted of sexual crimes. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 32(7), 778-805.
*graduate student co-author
Selected Presentations
- Impact of a Pre-Arraignment Adult Diversion Alternatives Program (ADAP) on behavioral health outcomes - Academic and Health Policy on Conference on Correctional Health, March 2021 - Virtual Meeting
- Evaluation of an adult diversion alternatives program - 22nd Annual Student Research and Community Engagement Symposium, May 2019 - Lowell, MA
Selected Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research
- Zhang, S., Hounmenou, C., Kysia, K., Rydberg, J., Lee, C. S., & Zimmerman, C. (FY 2023). Measuring Prevalence of Child Trafficking in Cote d鈥橧voire. US Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. ($1,000,000, Role: Co-PI).
- Rydberg, J., Morabito, M. S. (FY 2022). Evaluation of the Mindright program. Liberty Mutual Foundation ($120,000, Role: PI).
- Zhang, S. & Rydberg, J. (FY 2022). Reducing domestic servitude in Tunisia through capacity building. Submitted to US Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. ($1,458,667, Role: Co-PI).
- McGarrell, E. and Rydberg, J. (FY 2018). Core Capacity and Special Emphasis SAC Proposal: Michigan Statistical Analysis Center 2018. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, State Justice Statistics Program ($224,043; $104,760 subcontract to UML). Role: Co-Principal Investigator.
- Shortland, N., Horgan, J., Savoia, E., Williams, M., and Rydberg, J. (FY2018). Operation250: An Evaluation of a Primary Prevention Campaign focused on Online Safety and Risk Assessment. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice ($1,029,474; $153,455 direct to UML). Role: Co-Investigator.
- Clark, K. M. and Rydberg, J. (FY 2018). Informing The Utility of GPS Monitoring for Pretrial Probationary Supervision: An Examination of Reoffending and Collateral Consequences. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice ($31,989). Role: Co-Principal Investigator.
- Harris, A., and Rydberg, J. (FY2017). Evaluation of efficacy of technical assistance to Tribal Justice Systems. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance ($31,383). Role: Co-Principal Investigator.
- Fu, Xinwen (FY2017). An Internet of Things (IoT) security and privacy course built upon frontier research, industry need, and affordable platforms for classrooms. United States Department of Defense, National Security Agency ($114,086). Role: Evaluator ($8,506).
- Rydberg, J., and Socia, K. M. (FY2015). Community-Level Influences on the Sentencing of Convicted Sex Offenders. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, Solicitation NIJ-2015-3974 ($39,997). Role: Principal Investigator.
- Impact of the First Pre-Arraignment Adult Diversion Alternatives Program (ADAP) in the Wake of the Opioid Epidemic (2018), Grant - University of Massachusetts Lowell, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Sustainability Engagement & Enrichment Development (S.E.E.D.) Fund
Walter, A.W., Rydberg, J., Morocho, C.