Paul Odér

Paul Odér (O-dare)

I am a 2026 graduate of the CUNY The Graduate Center/John Jay College Criminal Justice PhD program. I am an interdisciplinary scholar with training in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science, forensic anthropology, and creative writing.

My main research focuses on lead poisoning and gentrification; my interdisciplinary work in this area extends criminology scholarship through its novel engagement with critical criminology, public health, environmental justice/humanities, carceral geography, and urban sociology.

Currently, I am an assistant professor of criminology within the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology at Eastern Illinois University. Prior to this appointment, I was the Research Coordinator and a Research and Fellowship Specialist at the NYC Climate Justice Hub housed at the CUNY Center for the Humanities.

My current research expands my dissertation into several areas. This includes a reflection on the primary prevention of lead poisoning within the United States and an analysis of liberal carceral politics within a gentrifying neighborhood in New York City.