Professional Summary
Matt is a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Cincinnati and is currently on the job market. He received his Master of Science in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati in 2023. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in law and justice studies from Rowan University in 2021.
Matt's research primarily focuses on crime and place, police effectiveness, and cybercrime. He has six published peer-reviewed articles to date, including four first-authored papers, two of which are sole-authored.
In his free time, Matt enjoys playing chess, collecting vinyl records, trying new craft beers, and, unfortunately, supporting Everton Football Club.
Education
Master of Science: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2023 (Criminal Justice)
Bachelor of Arts: Rowan University Glassboro, NJ, 2021 (Law and Justice Studies, Economics)
Research Support
Grant: #15PBJA-23-GG-04155-JAGP Investigators:Cory P. Haberman, Ph.D. 2023 -2026 Bureau of Justice Assistance Police use of checklists to improve investigative outcomes Role:Research Assistant $537,124.00 Active Type:Grant Level:National
Grant: #2020-WY-BX-0001 Investigators:Cory P. Haberman, Ph.D. 2020 -2024 Bureau of Justice Assistance Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) strategies for policing innovation grant project Role:Research Assistant $139,617.00 Completed Type:Grant Level:National
Grant: #2023-JG-E01-6575 Investigators:Cory P. Haberman, Ph.D. 2023 -2025 Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services Improving crime mapping across the state of Ohio Role:Research Assistant $53,645.80 Active Type:Grant Level:State
Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
Haberman, C. P., O’Guinn, B. J., McGrath, M., Kumavat, A. V., & Orue, A. (2025. ) A randomized controlled trial of a hot spots policing initiative in suburban and rural areas.Justice Evaluation Journal, , 8 (2 ) ,187–204 More Information
Maher, C. A., Engle, T. A., McGrath, M., & Nedelec, J. L. (2025. ) Fraud in the buckeye state: A geospatial and temporal analysis fraud victimization reports in Ohio, 2024.Journal of Criminal Justice, , 101 , More Information
McGrath, M., O’Guinn, B. J., & Haberman, C. P. (2026. ) Beyond the big-city bias: Assessing the concentration of calls-for-service in suburban and rural micro-places.American Journal of Criminal Justice, , More Information
McGrath, M. (2026. ) Mapping state cybercrime law: A typology of statutory coverage across the U.S.Journal of Economic Criminology, , 13 , More Information
McGrath, M. (2026. ) Glass Half-Full or Half-Empty? Perceived Discrimination, Police (Il)legitimacy, and Pathways to Police Avoidance.Race and Justice, , More Information
McGrath, M., Bledsoe, B. N., O’Guinn, B. J., & Haberman, C. P. (2026. ) Implementing place-based problem solving in a suburban and rural sheriff’s office: Patrol supervisors’ perspectives on a hot spots policing initiative.Evidence Base: Criminal Justice Research, Policy & Action, , More Information
Honors and Awards
2024 Robert B. Mills Award for Outstanding Scholarship in the Criminal Justice Master's Program Honored as the top Criminal Justice master's student for the 2022-2023 academic year. University of Cincinnati, College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology Status:Recipient Level:College Type:Recognition
2021 Law and Justice Studies Senior of Distinction Honored as the top Law and Justice Studies graduate from Rowan University in 2021. Rowan University, Department of Law and Justice Studies Status:Recipient Level:Department Type:Recognition
2026 2025-2026 Graduate Student Mentor of the Year Award University of Cincinnati, McNair Scholars Program Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Recognition