Brett C. Burkhardt

I am an Associate Professor of Sociology in the School of Public Policy at Oregon State University. I received a PhD from the Department of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I explore how governments exercise coercive power over citizens, and how those citizens understand that relationship. This has led me to research imprisonment, policing, and firearms, all with a focus on the US. I apply quantitative research methods to a variety of data sources, including administrative data, public opinion surveys, and mass and social media. This work helps to better understand power differentials between citizens and the state.

At OSU, I teach classes related to crime, law, policy, and research methods.