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Stephanie Bonnes, Ph.D., associate professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and assistant dean of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven, has been selected as a 2026 Harry Frank Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar, one of the nation's most competitive research fellowships focused on advancing the understanding of violence.

The supports leading researchers whose work seeks to make significant contributions to understanding urgent issues of violence. Dr. Bonnes' project was one of just 10 selected for funding this year and one of only two criminology projects supported.

Her research will examine sexual violence in the U.S. military through the perspectives of the professionals who work directly with victims, offering new insights into prevention efforts, institutional responses, and opportunities for policy improvement.

"It is a standout moment in my career as a researcher to be selected for this award and to be able to call myself a Harry Frank Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar moving forward," said Dr. Bonnes.

She said the recognition is especially meaningful because it highlights the importance of studying sexual violence as an urgent form of violence that is deserving of continued research.

For years, Dr. Bonnes has examined issues of victimization, gender, and institutional culture within the military. She believes the military offers a distinctive environment for understanding how violence develops and how organizations respond.

"I think that the U.S. military is a unique context where we can unpack issues of violence, victimization, and gender, making it ideal to understand sexual violence," she said.

She explained that while the military has developed extensive prevention initiatives over the past two decades, rates of sexual assault have remained relatively unchanged.

"As the military passes the 20th anniversary of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program, estimated prevalence of sexual assault has remained steady, or in some years increased, for more than a decade," she said. "That begs the question of why sexual abuse remains highly prevalent in an organization with evolving policies, prevention strategies, and education programs."

Building on previous research in which she interviewed 50 U.S. servicewomen, Dr. Bonnes found that 94 percent experienced harassment and more than 40 percent experienced sexual assault during their military service.

"I found that the military created a climate that encourages sexual violence and silences victims through its values, power dynamics, and complex bureaucracy," she said.

Rather than focusing solely on survivors' experiences, Dr. Bonnes' new project centers on the professionals responsible for supporting victims after an assault.

She will examine how victim advocates and other practitioners understand victimization, make workplace decisions, navigate barriers to assisting survivors, and work alongside other professionals.

"I want to understand what practitioners think about the effectiveness of existing policies, what policy changes may be needed, and the barriers to existing victim services," she said.

Dr. Bonnes believes these perspectives will help explain why prevention efforts often fall short despite significant institutional investments.

"A lot of the military resources and policies are aimed at responding after a sexual assault occurs," she said. "By speaking with those who work directly with victims, I hope to uncover key issues related to prevention and identify how institutional features can be redesigned to create greater sexual safety."

She added that understanding how organizational practices shape vulnerability can lead to broader, more effective approaches to preventing violence.

Dr. Bonnes said her research is closely connected to both her teaching and her commitment to preparing students to address complex issues of victimization with empathy and rigor.

"I study and teach about issues such as victimization and sexual violence, and I view my role as a teacher and scholar as trying to make communities safer for people," she said.

Dr. Bonnes was recently appointed the University鈥檚 next Oskar Schindler Humanities Endowed Professor. As part of the three-year appointment, Dr. Bonnes will develop a special topics course titled 鈥淪exual Citizens and Sexual Safety,鈥� designed to explore issues of sexual violence, prevention, and response while empowering students to take an active role in fostering safer communities.

She regularly incorporates the experiences of servicemembers into courses across the University's Criminal Justice and Criminology program, encouraging students to engage thoughtfully with difficult topics while recognizing opportunities for positive change.

"I bring servicemembers' experiences to my classroom," she said. "Using the stories shared by servicewomen allows me to achieve this balance and informs my teaching."At the doctoral level, she mentors students in qualitative research methods, helping them design ethical research projects involving hard-to-reach populations and sensitive topics. She expects this fellowship will create additional opportunities for student involvement.

"This funding will allow me to support student involvement directly by involving them in the project and collaborating with them on peer-reviewed publications based on these interviews," she said. "I hope this work, combined with my previous findings, will contribute to the movement toward a broader and more integrated approach to sexual-violence prevention in the military."