Welcome!
I am Dr. Annabelle Frazier, Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director at the University of Southern Mississippi's School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science and Security. My work centers on understanding and improving the high-stakes decisions that shape outcomes in the criminal legal system—especially those that contribute to wrongful convictions and impact highly stigmatized populations.
What sets my research apart
I developed the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure (CYOA) research methodology: an interactive, branching-narrative approach that allows us to study how legal decisions unfold under real-world pressures. This method provides a psychologically realistic window into sequential decision-making by defendants, attorneys, and other legal actors—capturing complexities that traditional research methods (like vignette-based studies) often miss.
Research focus areas
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Legal decision-making science
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Experimental criminology
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Wrongful convictions and the cumulative disadvantage framework
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Sexual violence, sexual crimes and accusations
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Decision-making in high-stigma contexts (extremism, defendants with mental health problems, and others)
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Plea bargaining and false guilty pleas
Expert assessment and consultation services
As a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) and researcher, I sometimes serve as an expert in legal cases, whether to educate courts or help an attorney navigate psycho-legal issues in a case. My areas of expertise bridge clinical and forensic practice with insights from scientific research, including child welfare and custody issues, trauma assessment, sexual violence cases, as well as reintegration and least-restrictive alternatives. I also consult on cases requiring research-based insights into legal processes and decision-making under pressure, and provide training to legal teams and clinicians on clinical record keeping, ethical issues, and forensic topics.
Mentored research opportunities for students
I lead a research lab dedicated to criminal justice innovation and evidence-based reform. Motivated students have opportunities to join ongoing projects—analyzing real case data, developing CYOA scenarios, and gaining hands-on experience in experimental research. Whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student, you'll find opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that informs both policy and practice.
Instruction with universal design and experiential learning principles
My teaching approach is grounded in making complex concepts accessible and relevant through innovative, student-centered strategies. I emphasize real-world application, cross-disciplinary thinking, and the development of practical skills that prepare students for both academic and professional success. My courses often feature universal design principles, as well as gamified, branching-narrative scenarios or other immersive learning approaches. I prioritize flexibility, collaboration, and accessibility in the classroom, encouraging critical thinking and incremental progress throughout the semester. Ultimately, my goal is to mentor students as engaged researchers and professionals who are equipped to tackle the evolving challenges of the legal and social services systems.
Let's Connect!
Explore my research portfolio for current projects and publications. Learn more about legal case expert services, or contact me to discuss research collaborations, student opportunities, or consultation. My approach combines methodological rigor with practical relevance, always focused on advancing justice through better science.
For clinical mental health services (individual therapy, assessment, or clinical supervision),
please visit my private practice website at www.EmergeCalm.com.