LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 9, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) has announced Vitoria De Francisco Lopes, Ph.D., will join the College as an assistant professor, bringing experience in juvenile justice, criminal justice policy and research to the CoSW’s growing criminal justice programs.
Born in Brazil and raised in New York City, De Francisco Lopes comes to UK from the University of Mississippi, where she earned her Ph.D. in criminal justice policy studies in 2026. Her academic and professional experiences have taken her from New York to Florida and Mississippi, shaping her interest in the systems and policies that affect youth and families.
“Dr. De Francisco Lopes brings an important combination of research expertise and direct experience within the juvenile legal system,” said Jackie Duron, Ph.D., associate dean for faculty advancement. “Her work examining decision-making, family dynamics and the experiences of young people involved in the legal system will strengthen our criminal justice program and provide valuable opportunities for our students.”
Before entering academia full time, De Francisco Lopes worked as a juvenile probation officer with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice in Tampa, giving her hands-on experience with many of the systems she now studies.
During her doctoral training at the University of Mississippi, she served as a graduate research assistant while teaching undergraduate courses, including Theories of Criminal Behavior, as well as graduate courses in the Master of Criminal Justice program.
De Francisco Lopes’ research focuses on judicial and law enforcement decision-making in juvenile courts, family dynamics and delinquency, adverse childhood experiences and minimum age policies. Her work has been published in journals including Crime & Delinquency, American Journal of Criminal Justice, Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice and Child Protection and Practice.
“My experience working directly with young people in the juvenile justice system continues to shape the questions I ask as a researcher and educator,” De Francisco Lopes said. “I’m excited to bring those experiences to UK and work with students as they develop their own understanding of criminal justice policy and practice.”
De Francisco Lopes earned both her Ph.D. and Master of Criminal Justice from the University of Mississippi. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in criminology and sociology from Flagler University. She is also a certified Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and completed the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Doctoral Summit Fellowship. De Francisco Lopes is proficient in Stata and Mplus for statistical analysis and speaks Portuguese and Spanish in addition to English.
“I look forward to continuing my research while collaborating with faculty and students across the College,” De Francisco Lopes said. “UK provides an exciting environment to connect research, teaching and practice while examining ways we can strengthen the systems that serve young people, families and communities.”
Outside of academia, De Francisco Lopes enjoys journaling, painting and watching reality television. She also spends time with her mini goldendoodle, Simba, who she jokes serves as her research assistant. After recently moving from Mississippi to Lexington, she looks forward to exploring the city and finding her favorite local spots.