Biography

Colby Kopf, M.A. is a doctoral student in the Sociology Department here at UCF, focusing on social inequalities and criminology, and completing a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Sciences (GIS). His research interests span a broad topical range, but tends to center around LGBTQIA+ inequalities, environmental justice, and mass shooting victimization. Colby’s master’s project examined community perceptions of police legitimacy 10 years after the Pulse nightclub tragedy, with significant findings related to identity and social proximity to the event.

As an emerging leader, Colby is actively involved in the American Society of Criminology, serving as Student Executive Counselor for the Division of Queer Criminology (DQC), chairing the division’s Mentorship committee, and serving as a member of the division’s Meetings committee. Concurrently, Colby also serves as President and Graduate Student Representative of the Sociology Graduate Student Association (SGSA) at UCF, where he fosters departmental cohesion and collaboration between students and faculty. Upon completion of his PhD, Colby plans to pursue a tenure-track position within academia so he may continue to build knowledge, community, and professional development on the college campus and beyond.