Robert J. Norris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society at George Mason University. He was previously an Assistant Professor in the Department of Government and Justice Studies at Appalachian State University.  He received his BA in sociology with a history minor at UNC-Greensoboro, and his MA and PhD from the School of Criminal Justice at the University at Albany (SUNY). 

His research generally focuses on the social, cultural, and political dynamics of criminal justice reform and legal decision-making. More specifically, he examines issues related to wrongful convictions, social policy, public opinion, and criminal admissions (interrogations, confessions, and plea bargaining).

His recent book, Exonerated: A History of the Innocence Movement, provides the first in-depth history of the social movement around wrongful convictions and exonerations in the United States.