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Denise Boots

Denise Boots

Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education
Professor of Public Policy and Political Economy
Minnie Stevens Piper Professor of Texas 2020 & UT System Regents' Outstanding Teacher
Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Urban Policy Research

Dr. Denise Paquette Boots is the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education in the School of Economic, Policy & Policy Sciences, a Professor of Public Policy and Political Economy, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Urban Policy Research.

 
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Professional Preparation

Ph.D. - Criminology
University of South Florida - 2006
M.A. - Criminology
University of South Florida - 2001
B.A. - Criminology
University of South Florida - 1995

Research Areas

Bio
 DENISE PAQUETTE BOOTS  is the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education in the School of Economic, Policy & Policy Sciences, a Professor of Public Policy and Political Economy, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Urban Policy Research at the University of Texas at Dallas. She received her doctorate from the University of South Florida in 2006.

Dr. Boots is a former U.S. Border Patrol Agent trainee and a Level 4 juvenile counselor for adjudicated youth. She has been at UT Dallas for 18 years. Her research and teaching focuses on interpersonal violence, with an emphasis on domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, campus sexual assault, mental health, capital punishment, human trafficking, gender pathways to crime and victimization, parricide, and outcome and process evaluations of courts and criminal justice programs. She has published over 50 books, chapters, and articles and has been awarded over $1.8 million for private and publicly sponsored research projects. She is the former President of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences from 2022-2023. Dr. Boots has been recognized for her excellence in research and teaching with several prestigious awards, including the UT Dallas President’s Teaching Excellence Award, the University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, and the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor of Texas award.

From March 2022 through March 2023, she served as President of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, one of two national associations within criminology and criminal justice in the United States. She hosted her annual meeting, with a theme on social justice, civil rights, and crime, in March 2023 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Dr. Boots has a distinguished history of recognition for her excellence in both teaching and research. In 2010, she was an inaugural awardee of the University of Texas Board of Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, its highest award. In May 2016, she was awarded the UT Dallas President’s Teaching Excellence Award for tenured faculty. In May of 2020, Dr. Boots was named a Minnie Piper Stevens Professor of 2020; this award is one of 10 awarded annually in Texas, recognizing excellence in scholarship and teaching. She has conducted over 100 interviews in local and national media. She is frequently called upon as a consultant to various non-profit, government, and community organizations as a court-certified expert and invited speaker on family violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, mental health, and child abuse.



Publications

Commentary on Campbell et al.’s “Creating a University Strategic Plan to Address Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct”: Sustainability and Replicability Concerns 2023 - Journal Article
Role of Technology in Sustainable Gambling: Policy Effects of Electronic Card System and Limit Setting 2021 - Journal Article
Boots, D. P., and Wareham, J. 2012. A gendered view of violence. Invited book chapter for Routledge Handbook on Gender and Crime Studies, Routledge Press, Claire Renzetti, Susan Miller, and Angela Gover (Eds.) pp. 163-179. 2012 - Publication
Wareham, J., and Boots, D. P. 2012. The link between mental health problems and youth violence in children and adolescents: A multilevel test of DSM-oriented problems. Criminal Justice & Behavior, 39, 1003-1024. 2012 - Publication
Gendered perspectives on depression and antisocial behaviors: An extension of the failure model in adolescent PHDCN girls and boys. Criminal Justice & Behavior, 38, 63-84. 2011 - Publication
Boots, D. P. , and Cochran, J. K. The gender gap in support for capital punishment: A test of attribution theory. Women & Criminal Justice, 21(3). 2011 - Publication
Gender differences in mental health problems and violence among Chicago youth. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 9, 3-22. 2011 - Publication
Bingham, A., Cochran, J. K., Boots, D. P., & Heide, K. M. (2011). Public support for preventive/corrective remedies against miscarriages of justice in capital cases. Justice Quarterly DOI: 10.1080/07418825.2011.619560, 1-25. 2011 - Publication

Awards

Love of Learning Award - Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society [2023]
Love of Learning Award - Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society [2020]
Minnie Stevens Piper Professor of Texas - Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation [2020]
Love of Learning Award - Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society [2017]
President’s Teaching Excellence Award for Tenured Faculty - University of Texas at Dallas [2016]
Evelyn Gilbert Unsung Hero Award - Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Minorities & Women Section [2016]
Comet Teaching Award - School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas [2016]
Comet Teaching Award - School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas [2015]
Outstanding Faculty Invited Speaker for Tea Tuesday Luncheon - Women in Science Alliance/Galerstein Women’s Center [2015]
Comet Teaching Award - School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas [2013]

Appointments

Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education
School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas [2024–Present]
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education
School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas [2019–2024]
Professor of Public Policy & Political Economy
The University of Texas at Dallas [2018–Present]
Program Head of Program in Criminology
The University of Texas at Dallas [2016–2018]
EPPS
Associate Professor of Criminology
The University of Texas at Dallas [2010–2018]
EPPS
Associate Chair/Graduate Director
The University of Texas at Dallas [2009–2010]
EPPS
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas at Dallas [2006–2010]
EPPS
Adjunct Instructor
University of South Florida [2004–2006]
CAS
Assistant Undergraduate Advisor
University of South Florida [2004–2006]
CAS
Graduate Research Assistant
University of South Florida [2001–2004]
CAS

Additional Information

Awards and Recognition
  • Recipient of Love of Learning Award, September 2023, National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
  •  Immediate Past President, March 2023, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
  • President, March 2022, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
  •  1st Vice President, March 2021, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
  • Recipient of Love of Learning Award, September 2020, National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
  • Recipient of Minnie Stevens Piper Professor of Texas Award, May 2020, Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation
  • 2nd Vice President, March 2020, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
  • Nominated for President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Online/Blended Instruction, February 2018, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Invited Honors Affiliate, January 2018, Hobson Wildenthal Honors College, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Invited Faculty for Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, November 2017, Delta Zeta Sorority, University of Texas at Dallas
  • UT System New Direct Leader Forum Training, August 2017, University of Texas System Office
  • Recipient of Love of Learning Award, May 2017, National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
  • Nominated for President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Online/Blended Instruction, February 2017, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Recipient of President’s Teaching Excellence Award for Tenured Faculty, May 2016, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Recipient of Evelyn Gilbert Unsung Hero Award, Minorities & Women Section, April 2016, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
  • Recipient of Comet Teaching Award, April 2016, School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Outstanding Faculty Invited Speaker for Tea Tuesday Luncheon, November 2015, Women in Science Alliance/Galerstein Women’s Center, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Recipient of Comet Teaching Award, April 2015, School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Recipient of Comet Teaching Award, April 2013, School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Executive Committee Member, January 2013-2023, National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, University of Texas at Dallas Chapter
  • Recipient of Distinguished Alumni Award, October 2012, Department of Criminology, University of South Florida
  • Recipient of Faculty of the Month Award, Fall 2012, National Residential Housing Honorary Institution
  • Founding President and Charter Member, 2011-2013, National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, University of Texas at Dallas Chapter
  • Affiliated Collegium V Honors Faculty, 2011-2018, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Faculty Mentor to Terry Scholars Program, 2011-2012, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Affiliated Faculty, Center for Children and Families, 2010-present, University of Texas at Dallas
  • ING Faculty Coach of the Game, Fall 2010, University of Texas at Dallas Athletics
  • Residential Senate Freshmen Faculty Spotlight Speaker, Fall 2010, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Recipient of University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, September 2009, University of Texas System
  •  Residential Senate Freshmen Faculty Spotlight Speaker, Fall 2009, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Nominated for Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teaching Award, Spring 2009, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Nominated for Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teaching Award, Spring 2007, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Recipient of Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, 2004-2006, National Consortium on Violence Research, National Science Foundation
  • Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Instruction, 2006, Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
  • Boots, D. P., and Kim, B. 2024. Shaping the future of criminal justice education: Insights from ACJS leadership survey analysis. Journal of Criminal Justice Education. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2024.2306814
  • Boots, D. P., Gulledge, L. M., and Wareham, J. 2023. Commentary on 
  •  Campbell et al.’s “Creating a University Strategic Plan to Address Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct”: Sustainability and Replicability Concerns. Violence Against Women, 29, 65-73.
  • Boots, D. P. (2023). ACJS 60th Annual Meeting Presidential Address. ACJS Today, 51(3), 1-21.
  • Wareham, J., Boots, D. P., Gulledge, L. M., and Bray, T. 2022. An examination of Title IX training and knowledge at a public university. Journal of Public Affairs Education. DOI:10.1080/15236803.2022.2117534
  •  Lynch, K., Boots, D. P., Jackson, D. B., and Renzetti, C. M. 2022. Firearm-related abuse and protective order seeking among IPV victims: Implications for homicide prevention. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37.. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F08862605211001474
  •  Park, J., Choi, S. R., Kim, D., Boots, D. P., and Lee, C. K. 2021. Role of technology in sustainable 
  •  gambling: Policy effects of electronic card system and limit setting. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2021, 1-8.
  •  Gover, A., Boots, D. P., and Harper, S. 2021. Courting justice: Tracing the evolution and  future of DV courts. Feminist Criminology, 16, 366-381. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557085120987638  
  •  El Sayed, S. A., Boots, D. P., Marquart, J. W., and Sanford, S. 2020. Death in Dallas: Sentencing patterns of pre-Furman capital offenders.  Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice.
  • Boots, D. P., Wareham, J., Martin, K. T., and *Barbieri, N. 2018. Preliminary evaluation of the Supervision with Immediate Enforcement (SWIFT) probation program for adult gang affiliated offenders in Texas. In press, Criminal Justice & Behavior, 45(7), 1047-1070.
  •  Wareham, J., Blackwell, B. S., Berry, B., and Boots, D. P. 2018. Effects of victim’s physical attractiveness on juristic judgments of blame and punishment in physical, domestic, and sexual assault scenarios. In press, Deviant Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2018.1443877
  • Boots, D. P., Mallicoat, S., and Wareham, J. 2018. Life or death: Using a real-world case to assess student death penalty opinion. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 29(1), 39-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2017.1341989
  •  Wagers, S. M., Wareham, J., and Boots, D. P. 2018. College students’ beliefs about domestic violence: A replication and extension. In press, Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517747606
  • Boots, D. P., *Martinez, C., and LeBlanc, C. 2016. The evolution of criminal justice education and online curriculum for probation and parole professionals: Past, present and future challenges and considerations. Texas Probation 31(1) 12-18.
  •  Shetgiri, R., Boots, D. P., Lin, H., and Cheng, T. 2016. Predictors of weapon-related violence among Latino youth. Journal of Pediatrics 171, 277-282. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.12.008
  • Boots, D. P., Wareham, J., *Bartula. A., and Canas, R. 2016. A comparison of the Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program to alternative court dispositions on 12-month recidivism. Violence Against Women 22(9) 1134-1157. DOI: 10.1177/1077801215618806
  •  *Bishopp. S. A., and Boots, D. P. 2014. Exposure to violence and suicide ideation among police officers: A general strain approach. Journal of Criminal Justice 42(6) 538-548. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2014.09.007
  •  Wareham, J., and Boots, D. P. 2012. The link between mental health problems and youth violence in children and adolescents: A multilevel test of DSM-oriented problems. Criminal Justice & Behavior 39 1003-1024.
  •  *Bingham, A., Cochran, J. K., Boots, D. P., and Heide, K. M.  2011. Public support for preventive/corrective remedies against miscarriages of justice in capital cases. Justice Quarterly 30(4) 594-618.
  • Boots, D. P., Wareham, J., and *Weir, H. 2011. Gendered perspectives on depression and antisocial behaviors: An extension of the failure model in adolescent PHDCN girls and boys. Criminal Justice & Behavior 38(1) 63-84.
  • Boots, D. P., and Cochran, J. K. 2011. The gender gap in support for capital punishment: A test of attribution theory. Women & Criminal Justice 21(3) 171-197.
  •  Wareham, J., and Boots, D. P.  2011. Gender differences in mental health problems and violence among Chicago youth. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice 9(1) 3-22.

Selected Published Chapters in Edited Volumes
  • Wareham, J., Berry, B., Blackwell, B. S., and Boots, D. P.  2019. The impact of victim attractiveness on victim blameworthiness and defendant guilt determinations in cases of domestic and sexual assault. Invited book chapter in Physical Appearance and Crime: How Appearance Affects Crime and the Crime Control Process, Oxford University Press, Bonnie Berry, (Ed.).
  • Boots, D. P., Gulledge, L., Bray, T., and Wareham, J. 2018. Coordinated community response: Toward a systematic response to domestic violence in an urban setting. Invited book chapter in Homicide and Violent Crime, Volume 23 of Sociology of Crime, Law and Deviance Series, Emerald Publishers, Mathieu Deflem, (Ed.) pp. 25-42.
  • Boots, D. P., and Wareham, J. 2012. A gendered view of violence. Invited book chapter in Routledge Handbook on Gender and Crime Studies, Routledge Press, Claire Renzetti, Susan Miller, and Angela Gover (Eds.) pp. 163-179.  
  • Boots, D. P. 2011. Neurobiological perspectives of brain vulnerability in pathways to violence over the life-course. Invited book chapter in The Ashgate Research Companion To Biosocial Theories of Crime, K. M. Beaver and A. Walsh (Eds.) pp. 181-212. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Press.
  • Boots, D. P. 2008. Neuropsychological perspectives of human violence, aggression, and homicide. Invited book chapter in Public Policy Issue Research Trends, Sophie J. Evans (Ed.), pp. 21-66. New York: Nova Science Publishers.

News Articles

Public Policy, Engineering Professors Receive National Honors
Public Policy, Engineering Professors Receive National Honors Dr. Denise Paquette Boots, professor of public policy and political economy at The University of Texas at Dallas, became president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) in March during the group’s annual conference in Las Vegas.
Killings Leave Sorrow, Questions
“Friends and family of suicide victims, as well as people who kill family members, are often taken by surprise,” said Dr. Denise Paquette Boots, an associate professor of criminology at University of Texas at Dallas. “Not everybody is going to ask to be saved. We're so analytical after the fact, but on an average day all of us do numerous things that don't make any sense.”
Experts See Flags, Flaws in Gardner's Case File
Denise Paquette Boots is an assistant professor of criminology at the University of Texas at Dallas. Her research focus includes youth violence, homicide and domestic violence.

“Successful treatment depends on receptivity on the part of the offender. The report says he was a poor candidate because he took no responsibility for his actions. It’s very difficult to adequately address the mechanisms of his sexual drive without him honestly admitting it.

“When I look at the sentence he got, it doesn’t surprise me at all. I’m not minimizing what happened, but it wasn’t a rape, so the handling of the case was not that unusual. Considering that this is his first-time offense, I’m honestly surprised he did so much of the term.
It Can, and Does, Happen Here
“Even though you have a far greater chance of being killed in a car crash than you do of being a victim of violent crime, when it happens, it’s extremely tragic and leaves a wound in your community,” said Denise Paquette Boots, a criminologist at the University of Texas at Dallas. “It shatters your sense of well-being.”
Regents' Awards Extol Work of 4 Instructors
Four UT Dallas professors have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the UT System Board of Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards. 

Dr. Denise Paquette Boots, Dr. Anthony Champagne, Dr. Michael Kilgard and Dr. Paul Stanford join 73 faculty members from system’s nine academic institutions in sharing $2 million in awards for doing an exemplary job in college classrooms.

The awards, which range from $15,000 to $30,000 depending on level of experience, are believed to be among the highest in the country for rewarding outstanding undergraduate faculty performance and innovation.

Affiliations

Center for Children and Families
University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences Dr. Margaret Tresch Owen, Director
Honors Affiliate Faculty, Collegium V
2018/12