April 2, 2026. The Finn Institute announced that Hannah Cochran has been recognized with the title of Research Scientist. Cochran joined the Institute as a Research Assistant in 2017 and was subsequently promoted twice – to Research Analyst in 2019 and Senior Research Analyst in 2021. She holds an MA in criminal justice from the University at Albany, SUNY, where she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. She is a coauthor of four peer-reviewed journal articles (and the lead author of two), a book, and numerous technical reports. She is currently leading the execution of three Institute projects on criminal investigations, and she is a co-principal investigator on a study of investigations of citizen complaints against the police.
Institute director Rob Worden said, “Hannah has played a vital role in the Institute’s work, and we deeply appreciate the value of the contributions that she has made and continues to make to the field. It is no exaggeration to say that she is an integral part of the Institute’s future.”
Hannah said, “I feel that the Institute is invested in my own success, and so I am invested in the success of the Institute. I like the sense of ownership over work that the Institute affords, the professional environment that encourages creativity and exploration, flexibility around work schedules and modes, the opportunities that allow working in the field and meeting practitioners/other researchers, and an environment that supports further education and training.”
