The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is thrilled to recognize Anna Petersen, an honors student in our department, for receiving the Winston Honors Award for Best Thesis from the University of Maryland Honors College.

Her thesis, “The Association Between Ghost Gun Usage and Neighborhood Disadvantage,” offers timely and important insights into how the availability of untraceable firearms intersects with structural inequality in communities. Anna’s research stood out for its thoughtful approach and clear contribution to ongoing conversations about gun violence and public safety.

Anna received support for her project through the Honors College Research Grant, which provided funding for her data collection and analysis. 

The Winston Honors Writing Awards, established by alumni Roger and Karen Winston and later expanded with their daughter Emily Winston, recognize exceptional writing by Honors students across three categories: Best Short Essay, Best Research Paper, and Best Departmental Honors Thesis. These awards also highlight the role of faculty mentoring in the success of student research.

We’re incredibly proud of Anna’s achievement and the impact of her work. Congratulations, Anna!

To learn more, check out her profile here on the department honors webpage.