About
Seth Watts, PhD
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Criminology at Texas State University.
Research
My work centers on policing, technological innovation, and public health — three domains that increasingly converge as law enforcement agencies adopt new tools and face growing demands for behavioral change.
I study how emerging technologies reshape day-to-day police practice. A significant portion of my research examines body-worn cameras: how automated AI-assisted review changes supervisor behavior, officer accountability, and officer acceptance of monitoring systems.
A second thread of my research addresses de-escalation training — what it is, what works, and why. This line of work has direct policy relevance as departments face pressure to reduce use-of-force incidents and improve officer-community relationships.
My public health work examines police responses to opioid overdoses and co-response models, focusing on how structural arrangements between law enforcement and public health agencies shape outcomes for individuals in crisis.
Education
PhD, Criminology & Criminal Justice
Arizona State University
2024
MS, Criminology & Criminal Justice
Arizona State University
2021
BA, Psychology
Bowling Green State University
2019
Academic Positions
Assistant Professor, School of Criminal Justice and Criminology Texas State University · 2025 – present
Research Affiliate, Texas Crime & Justice Center Texas State University · 2025 – present
Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for Violence Prevention & Community Safety Arizona State University · 2024 – 2025