Robyn Diehl McDougle, Ph.D.

Interim Dean and Associate Dean of Research and Outreach, Professor
Criminal Justice

EXPERTISE

• Police community relations
• Violent crime and program evaluation

EDUCATION

B.S., Psychology, Randolph-Macon College
M.S., Criminal Justice, Virginia Commonwealth University
Ph.D., Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Police community relations, jail re-entry, program evaluation, violent crimes, crime scene analysis and evidence collection.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Robyn Diehl McDougle, Ph.D., is interim dean and professor in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. A member of the Wilder School faculty since 2004, McDougle has held numerous academic and administrative leadership roles, helping expand the school's research enterprise, strengthen community partnerships and advance its mission of excellence in public affairs education, research and public service.

Prior to her appointment as interim dean, McDougle served as associate dean of research and outreach, where she oversaw the Wilder School's research centers and institutes, including the Center for Public Policy, the Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory, the Research Institute for Social Equity, the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute and the RVA Eviction Lab. She also serves as director of the Wilder School Commonwealth Poll, one of Virginia's leading measures of public opinion. As associate dean, McDougle helped guide the continued growth of the school's research enterprise, expanding sponsored research, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and building partnerships with government agencies, nonprofit organizations and communities throughout Virginia.

McDougle's research focuses on program evaluation, project impact and the effects of violent crime on youth and community development. Throughout her career, she has partnered with service-based organizations, law enforcement agencies and correctional systems to evaluate public programs serving communities disproportionately affected by violent crime, develop effective prisoner re-entry initiatives and strengthen community-based responses to public safety challenges. Her work has informed policy and practice in areas including public safety, workforce development, public health and social equity.

In addition to her research, McDougle has played a significant role in advancing public service throughout the commonwealth. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped develop Virginia's Plan for Equitable Vaccine Distribution and has served on the Virginia Crime Commission and the Virginia Board of Juvenile Justice. She has taught for more than 20 years at the FBI National Academy and has conducted training in leadership, stress management and death investigation for local, state, federal and international law enforcement and public safety organizations.

A VCU alumna, McDougle earned a master's degree in criminal justice and a doctorate in developmental psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University before joining the Wilder School faculty in 2004.