James Nolan, Ph.D.

Dr. Nolan teaches courses in the area of crime and social control. His research currently focuses on neighborhood dynamics, police procedures, crime measurement, hate crimes, and equity and inclusion in higher education.

His professional career began as a police officer in Wilmington, Delaware. In 13 years with that department, he worked in a variety of divisions, including patrol, community policing, organized crime and vice, and planning and research. He is a 1992 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy. Just prior to joining the faculty at West Virginia University, Dr. Nolan worked for the FBI as a unit chief in the Crime Analysis, Research and Development Unit that provided management oversight for the National Hate Crime Data Collection Program. 

His recent publications have appeared in the American Behavioral Scientist; Journal of Quantitative Criminology; Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice; Justice, Research & Policy; Information Sciences; Policing & Society; Criminal Justice Studies; Homicide Studies; Journal of Criminal Justice, and The American Sociologist. Dr. Nolan earned a Ph.D. in psychoeducational processes from Temple University. His graduate work focused on the study of group and social processes.