Narrative

Mary Lay Schuster (Professor) (Ph.D., English, University of New Mexico) studies the intersection of the law, science, and rhetoric. In the past, she has focused on direct-entry midwives and their attempts to become licensed professionals. Her current project involves interviewing judges to determine how they weigh victim impact statements in sentencing hearings involving domestic violence/sexual assault cases. She is also interviewing advocates who work with victims to determine how they advise victims and observing judges' verbal and nonverbal responses during sentencing when a victim offers a statement. Dr. Schuster is a Faculty Fellow in the Law School and has served also as a Deputy Director in the Office for Conflict Resolution.