Jeanette is a principal research scientist in the Economics, Justice & Society department at NORC at the University of Chicago. Her studies incorporate mixed methodologies that integrate qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data on public safety and criminal justice issues, including criminal courts and processes, public defense, and human trafficking. Her research includes local and national survey data collection, evaluability and implementation studies, program evaluation, and qualitative research. Jeanette’s portfolio is built on partnerships with practitioners and local and national organizations who provide services and support to criminal justice actors, justice-involved individuals, and victims of crime. She incorporates trauma informed research methods into her studies to ensure that study findings and policy recommendations are informed by diverse perspectives, including victims of crime, individuals who have been involved in the justice system, and family members and communities who have been affected by public safety and justice issues.  
 
Jeanette has conducted research on behalf of numerous federal agencies, including the National Institute of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, and Office for Victims of Crime, as well as research on behalf of state and local governments and foundations, including Arnold Ventures and the District Attorney of New York. Most recently, she has co-led studies on the right to legal counsel for youth at arrest and the right to counsel at first appearance in court, human trafficking survivor perceptions of justice and experiences with community-based providers, and evaluations of local and state task force efforts to combat human trafficking. She also co-leads the first BJS-funded Survey of Public Defenders and the Census of Public Defender Offices.

Jeanette has been the lead author on numerous peer-reviewed publications and reports. Prior to joining NORC, she worked as a senior researcher at the Urban Institute where she oversaw a portfolio of research on public defense and human trafficking. She also spent several years working as an Assistant Director for a social service agency in Chicago.