Wilson R. Palacios
Wilson R. Palacios
Associate Professor
Contact
Office: SOC 309
Phone: 813/974-7290
Email:
Links
Bio
Research
Social epidemiology of substance use and abuse, illicit drug markets (social networks) and drug subcultures, qualitative research methods, Latino/a issues in criminology and criminal justice.
My research interests are primarily in developing and advancing an ethno-epidemiological framework for understanding Hispanic substance use and abuse. Specifically, my developing research agenda consists of the following three substantive areas: (1) social epidemiology of drug use/abuse, (2) contemporary suburban drug subcultures via a social organization of risk behavior(s) framework, and (3) qualitative research methods and design (i.e. participant-observation, life-history/”event” interviews, ethnography, etc). My overall theoretical framework is shaped across the basic tenets of Intersectionality Theory (with an emphasis on Hispanic cultural dynamics), Social Action Theory, and Ethno-Epidemiology. Although not a “typical” theoretical framework among general criminologists, my research interests are in developing empirically grounded models which illuminate and enhance our understanding of certain pathways connecting environments, risky-behaviors, and overall health among members of special populations. In particular, individuals who use drugs intravenously (IDUs) represent unique challenges for both public health and criminal justice agencies. Therefore by bridging a public health and criminological perspective; both in terms of theoretical integration and methodological practice, an interdisciplinary approach may very well redefine the way we think about crime prevention, intervention, and its delivery across communities.