Biography and expertise
Seth Watts is an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Texas State University. His research interests include policing, technological innovation, opioids, and public health-public safety collaborations.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bowling Green State University in 2019, and his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy from Arizona State University in Criminology and Criminal Justice in 2021 and 2024, respectively.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bowling Green State University in 2019, and his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy from Arizona State University in Criminology and Criminal Justice in 2021 and 2024, respectively.
Education
Doctorate Degree
PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Arizona State University, 2024
Master's Degree
MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Arizona State University, 2021
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Watts, S. B., del Pozo, B., White, M. D., & Malm, A. (2025). Does Automated Feedback Impact the Acceptability of AI-Generated Police Body Worn Camera Review? An Implementation Science Natural Experiment. Journal of Experimental Criminology. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11292-025-09711-7
- White, M. D., Watts, S. B., & Malm, A. (2026). Does AI Generate a Civilizing or De-Policing Effect? Testing the Impact of AI-Based Body Worn Camera Analytics in a Large State Police Agency. Crime Science. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40163-026-00293-x
- Watts, S. B., Orosco, C., & White, M. D. (n.d.). A Comparative Review of De-escalation Training: What Works and Why. In Critical Issues in Policing.
- White, M. D., Watts, S. B., & Malm, A. (2026). AI, Body-Worn Cameras, and a Civilizing Effect: Evidence from the Arizona Truleo Study. Criminology and Public Policy. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.70018Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- Watts, S. B., White, M. D., & Malm, A. (n.d.). AI in Policing: Capturing Police Performance (Good and Bad) in Routine, Rare, and Novel Events. In Future Policing. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003671312
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: American Society of Criminology, Division of Policing Outstanding Dissertation Award, American Society of Criminology, Division of Policing. November 12, 2025

Featured service activities
- Member
Hiring Committee
- Reviewer / Referee
Justice Quarterly
- Reviewer / Referee
Journal of Drug Issues
- Reviewer / Referee
Criminal Justice and Behavior
- Reviewer / Referee
American Journal of Criminal Justice
- Reviewer / Referee
Criminal Justice and Behavior
