Thaddeus Johnson Named Among University’s First Ignite Research Award Winners

ATLANTA — Thaddeus Johnson, an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, recently was named among the first 10 recipients of Georgia State University’s first-ever Ignite Awards. The awards recognize outstanding contributions from faculty, staff and students whose work offers tremendous impact on advancing knowledge, solving complex problems, creating new innovations and enhancing the quality of life in Georgia and beyond.

Johnson received the Early Career Research Impact Award in Social and Behavioral Science. He is noted for his “exceptional work on police professionalism and innovation, police coercion, predictive bias and disparities in the justice system, and control of violent crime,” as reported in the award announcement.

Johnson is also an “engaged scholar,” expert at amplifying his research through traditional and nontraditional media and digital channels. A former Memphis, Tenn., police officer, he has made more than 60 media appearances and has authored or co-authored at least 13 op-eds published by popular news outlets, many of which have been shared and re-published multiple times.

“What a fitting award and recognition for our colleague, Thaddeus, whose work is innovative, creative and impactful,” said Distinguished University Professor Ann-Margaret Esnard, interim dean of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (AYSPS). “This university award comes on the heels of Thaddeus receiving our college’s Dean’s Early Career Award. What a year for Thaddeus and what a bright future ahead. We at AYSPS are proud beyond words.”

Johnson and his fellow Ignite Award winners will be celebrated Nov. 2 at an awards ceremony on the Georgia State campus.

“Georgia State’s strategic vision for the decade ahead calls for the university to innovate in research, scholarship and creativity,” said  Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Nicolle Parsons-Pollard. “I am proud to celebrate those whose work has supported our current path of excellence, and thanks to their dedication, the university will continue to advance its contributions to the greater good.”