Veronica Valencia Gonzalez

Veronica Valencia Gonzalez, PhD

Welcome to my professional website. I am a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina. My research focuses on the enduring effects of colonial legacies and globalization on gender-based violence, victimization, colorism, and mental health stigma within Latinx communities, both in Latin America and across the diaspora.

My work is grounded in qualitative, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged approaches, aiming to uncover and address the complex dynamics that perpetuate these issues. My academic journey includes completing a PhD in Social Ecology, where my dissertation centered on intimate partner violence (IPV) in rural Mexico. This research builds on my background in Criminology, Law & Society, and my ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering change in vulnerable communities.