Dr. Scott Phillips, Associate Professor and Chair of the Sociology and Criminology Department at the University of Denver, will be the featured speaker at the Dr. Max Pickerill Lecture Series on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Northwest Kansas Cultural Arts Center.

The topic for the lecture will be, “Is the Death Penalty an Effective Public Policy?”

Dr. Phillips’ research examines conflict management, police use of force and capital punishment.  His research has been published in several journals including Law and Society Review, Criminology, Social Forces, and the American Sociological Review.

Dr. Phillips received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Georgia in 2000.  He is the Director of the Socio-Legal Studies Program at the University of Denver.  In addition, he is Chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology.  His research interests include capital punishment, conflict management and police use of force.

He is a member of the American Society of Criminology, American Sociological Association and Law and Society Association.

There is no charge to attend.  The Max Pickerill Lecture Series is funded annually by anonymous donors.  For more information contact Dr. Linda Davis-Stephens at (785) 460-5528.