Emily Lenning

Emily Lenning is a Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, and she has been an FSU Bronco for over 15 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice (2002), her Master of Science in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology (2004) and her PhD in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology and Gender/Feminism (2008) from Western Michigan University. Prior to arriving at FSU, Dr. Lenning taught at both Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College. 

 

Dr. Lenning’s scholarship covers a diverse range of topics including LGBTQ+ issues in the criminal legal system, media representations of crime and justice, state-sanctioned violence, and creative pedagogy. Her most recognized publication is her co-authored book Queer Criminology (now in its 2nd edition), which was recognized with the American Society of Criminology’s Division on Critical Criminology and Social Justice Book Award in 2016.  In addition to having several books, Dr. Lenning has published dozens of book chapters and peer-reviewed articles in journals such as the British Journal of Criminology, Homicide Studies, and Critical Criminology.

 

Though she enjoys conducting research and writing, Dr. Lenning’s passion is teaching. Her favorite classes to teach are Introduction to Corrections, Sex, Sexuality & the Law, Media & Crime, and Race, Class & Gender in Criminal Justice. Since arriving at FSU, she has taught twenty distinct courses in online, face-to-face, and hybrid formats at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2014 Dr. Lenning was awarded the FSU Teacher of the Year Award, in 2017 she was awarded the UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2022 she was recognized with the American Society of Criminology Teaching Award.

 

In addition to her scholarship and teaching, Dr. Lenning is actively involved in serving the university, her community, and the discipline. She was co-founder of FSU’s Safezone office, making FSU the 3rd HBCU in the country to open a center dedicated to serving its LGBTQ+ students. She has also served on the Executive Boards of Fayetteville PRIDE, the Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County, the American Society of Criminology’s Division on Queer Criminology, and the American Society of Criminology’s Division on Women & Crime.  Dr. Lenning has also served as a consultant for the television show Forensic Files II, the Indiana Department of Corrections Transitional Healthcare program, and Lambda Legal.