Faculty

Bio

Dr. Talia Harmon joined the faculty in the fall, 1999. She attended the State University of New York at Albany where she received her undergraduate degree (B.A.) as well as her graduate degrees (master's and Ph.D.).

Dr. Harmon has written numerous articles that address issues involving capital punishment including exonerations and wrongful convictions in capital cases, racial discrimination in death penalty cases, capital commutations in New York State and the death qualification process.  She has recently published papers that look at the dramatic decline of death sentences throughout the country.

Dr. Harmon is responsible for teaching the following courses at NU: Criminal Procedural Law, Substantive Criminal Law, Principles of Justice, Capital Punishment, Statistics, and Research Thesis. Dr. Harmon was honored in 2004 by the College of Arts and Sciences by being presented the Excellence in Teaching Award. She also received the University-wide Excellence in Teaching Award in 2004.  She is currently a member of the American Society of Criminology, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences. Her main research interests involve capital punishment and issues relating to innocence, death qualification, racial discrimination, and competency for execution.

Dr. Harmon is currently the chair of the criminal justice program.

Current Research

My three main areas of research have focused on innocence and wrongful executions under contemporary death penalty statutes, death penalty issues in New York State, and the decline of death sentences nationwide in recent years. During the course of conducting research in these areas, I have developed three extensive databases. Since my arrival at Niagara University, I have published numerous peer-reviewed articles in these areas. In addition, I expect several additional peer-reviewed manuscripts to be submitted for publication in due course.

Educational Background

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Albany, 2000

Current Involvement

My service to the university is highlighted by my work on numerous university-wide committees, college level committees and my administrative work as the chair of the department. I also continue to serve as the faculty advisor for the Omega Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the Criminal Justice Honor Society. Finally, my contribution to the discipline/profession includes giving guest lectures, inviting guest speakers to campus and reviewing manuscripts for publication in five peer-reviewed journals.