The Center for Restorative Justice is dedicated to advancing scholarship and conducting research that supports positive change. Publications from Center staff and nationwide partners are collected here for use and reference by practitioners and anyone interested in a deeper understanding of the purpose and potential of restorative work.
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All content is listed by date, with the most recent first.
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Publications
Bussu, A., & Karp, D. R. (2025). Restorative justice in higher education: An analysis of challenges, strategies, and achievements using normalization process theory. Innovations in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-025-09846-5
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Gilbert, M. J., Karp, D. R., & Wilson, S. R. (in press). The rise of restorative justice in the United States: Key strands of history. In Encyclopedia of Restorative Justice.
Karp, D. R. (in press). Restorative justice in higher education. In M. Winn & T. Winn (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Social Justice in Education. Bloomsbury.
McMahon, S., Alexander, G., & Kimball, H. (2025). Case studies in empowerment evaluation: Restorative practices interventions in educational contexts. Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation. https://jmde.com/index.php/jmde_1/article/view/1087/907
McMahon, S. M., Todić, J., & Christensen, M. C. (2025). Preventing vicarious trauma through the research process as healing justice praxis. Journal of Gender-Based Violence. https://doi.org/10.1332/23986808Y2025D000000102
McMahon, S. M., Bemiller, M., & Velez, G. (2025). Mission in action at Catholic colleges & universities: Connecting Catholic social teaching and restorative justice practices. Journal of Catholic Higher Education, 42(2). https://jche.journals.villanova.edu/index.php/jche/article/view/3217/2984
Bacon, J. (2024). Restorative Selfcare. In: Roth, K.R., Kumah-Abiwu, F., Ritter, Z.S. (eds) Restorative Justice and Practice in US Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-68412-8_8
Behel, J.M., Israni, S.T. (2024). Restorative Practice in Healthcare: Case Studies from Academic Medicine. In: Roth, K.R., Kumah-Abiwu, F., Ritter, Z.S. (eds) Restorative Justice and Practice in US Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-68412-8_11
Karp, D.R. (2024). Restorative Justice in Higher Education: A Review of the Literature. In: Roth, K.R., Kumah-Abiwu, F., Ritter, Z.S. (eds) Restorative Justice and Practice in US Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-68412-8_12
Pigeon, Sydney and David R. Karp. “Mitigating Harm and Restoring Trust: A Restorative Justice Approach to Campus Policing.” In Restorative Justice in Legal Systems, Education, and the Community: Reflections on What Works, Where We Can Grow and What’s Next, edited by Sandra Pavelka and Anne Seymour. J Charlton.
Pointer, L., Giles-Mitson, A. (2024). Sustained Restorative Dialogue to Understand and Address Structural Sources of Harm in University Communities. In: Roth, K.R., Kumah-Abiwu, F., Ritter, Z.S. (eds) Restorative Justice and Practice in US Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-68412-8_14
Reed, T.J. (2024). Restorative Practice as a Pathway for Healing from the Indian Boarding Schools and Indian Residential Schools. In: Roth, K.R., Kumah-Abiwu, F., Ritter, Z.S. (eds) Restorative Justice and Practice in US Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-68412-8_5
Velez, G., McMahon, S.M., Phillips, D., and Wade, J. 2024. Restorative Justice: Building Community and Supporting Reconciliation on Campus and Beyond. IAJU Best Practices in Jesuit Higher Education.
Yarboi, J., Bersted, K. A., & Behel, J. M. (2024). The Great Reconnection: Restorative Justice as Remedy for Fragmented Healthcare Communities. Families, Systems, & Health, 42(3), 333–342.
Alexander, Gwynn. 2023. Becoming Restorative: Discomfort, Praxis, and Ecstasy at the Intersections of Restorative Practices and Teacher Identity Development. Dissertations. 982. https://digital.sandiego.edu/
Karp, David R. 2023. “Becoming a Restorative University.” International Journal of Restorative Justice. DOI: 10.5553/TIJRJ.000175
McMahon, Sheila M., M. Candace Christensen and Jelena Todić. 2023. “Transformative justice and restorative justice approaches to campus sexual assault: A scoping review.” International Journal of Restorative Justice. DOI: 10.5553/TIJRJ.000156
McMahon, Sheila, Zahra Ahmed, and Michelle Bemiller, 2023. "Restorative Pedagogy to Build Community in the Classroom: Autoethnographic Reflections from Faculty." In International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Vol. 35, Number 2, 245-257.
Naidu, Jessica and David R. Karp. 2023. “Building Restorative Options: Circles, Conferences, and Shuttle Facilitation.” Pp. 68-81 in Reframing Responses to Campus Sexual Misconduct: A Restorative Justice Approach, edited by Kaaren Williamsen and Erik Wessel. Stylus.
Sawin, Gregory, Christopher L. Klasson, Samantha Kaplan, Jennifer Larson Sawin, Ann Brown, Sonoo Thadaney Israni, Jessica Schonberg, and Ada Gregory. 2023. “Scoping review of restorative justice in academics and medicine: A powerful tool for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.” Health Equity. 7(1): 663–675. DOI: 10.1089/heq.2023.0071.
Alexander, Gwynn, Antonio Jimenez Luque, and David R. Karp. 2022. "Pedagogy of Transcendence in K-12 Education: A Framework for Positive Peace through Theoretical Constellations of Cognitive Justice, Restorative Justice, and the Pursuit of Critical Consciousness." In Restorative Justice: Promoting Peace and Wellbeing, edited by Theo Gavrielides and Gabriel Velez. Springer.
Appel, Monique B. 2022. Uncomfortable but Necessary: White Faculty Identity Development and Race Conversations. Masters in Higher Education Leadership. University of San Diego.
Duggins-Clay, Paige, Toni McMurphy, Rachel King, Jay Wilgus, David R. Karp, and Kaaren Williamsen. 2022. Comment Submitted to Department of Education on Changes to Title IX Regulations. University of San Diego Center for Restorative Justice.
Flores, Pedro. 2022. When 'First, Do No Harm' Fails: A Restorative Justice Approach to Workgroup Harm In Healthcare. PhD Dissertation in Leadership Studies. University of San Diego.
Karp, David R. 2022. The Dalhousie Sexual Harassment Case: Using Restorative Justice to Repair Harm and Rebuild Trust. University of San Diego Kroc School of Peace Studies Teaching Cases on Social Impact. Teaching Note
Karp, David R., Jonathan Scharrer, Marilyn Armour, and Haley Farrar. 2022. NACRJ Higher Education Restorative Justice Policy Statement and Implementation and Management Guidelines. National Association of Community and Restorative Justice.
Long, Ruby, Emily C. Cleveland Manchanda, Annette M. Dekker, Liliya Kraynov, Susan Willson, Pedro Flores, Elizabeth A. Samuels, and Karin Rhodes. 2022. "Community Engagement via Restorative Justice to Build Equity-oriented Crisis Standards of Care." Journal of the National Medical Association.
Naidu, Jessica D. 2022. Exploring Restorative Justice as an Adaptable Resolution for Gender-Based Misconduct. Masters in Higher Education Leadership. University of San Diego.
Pidgeon, Sydney. 2022. Public Safety Presence and Response in Campus Housing: Using Restorative Justice Interventions to Mitigate Harm and Restore Trust in the Residential Community. Masters in Higher Education Leadership. University of San Diego.
McMahon, S. M., Williamsen, K. M., Mitchell, H. B., & Kleven, A. 2022. Initial Reports from Early Adopters of Restorative Justice for Reported Cases of Campus Sexual Misconduct: A Qualitative Study. Violence Against Women.
Cirioni, Frank A. 2021. Needing More to Restore: A Case Study on Utilizing a Restorative Justice Curriculum to Address Campus Sexual Misconduct Cases in U.S. Higher Education. California State University, Long Beach. ProQuest Dissertations.
Reed, Thomas. 2021. "A Critical Review of the Native American Tradition of Circle Practices." Pp. 132-152 in Indigenous Research of Land, Self, and Spirit, edited by Robin Throne. IGI Global.
Reed, Thomas. 2021. Oneida College Lacrosse Players’ Perspectives of the Sacred Game of Lacrosse. PhD Dissertation in Leadership Studies. University of San Diego.
Orcutt, Madison, Patricia M. Petrowski, David R. Karp, and Jordan Draper. 2020. "Restorative Justice Approaches to the Informal Resolution of Student Sexual Misconduct." Journal of College and University Law 45(2).
Bell, Alexandra, Lyle Ashton Harris, and David R. Karp. 2020. "On Navigating Forgiveness, Redemption, and Rejection." Pp. 230-241 in Culture as Catalyst. Skidmore College.
Giacomini, Nancy Geist, David R. Karp, Derrick D. Dixon and Valerie Glassman. 2020."Off Script: Incorporating Principles of Conflict Management, Restorative Justice, and Inclusive Excellence into Informal and Formal Adjudication Pathways." Chapter 12 in Chapter 10 in Reframing Campus Conflict and Student Conduct Practice for Inclusive Excellence, 2nd edition, edited by Jennifer Meyer Schrage and Nancy Geist Giacomini. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishers. Herndon, VA: Stylus.
McMahon, Sheila M. and David R Karp. 2020. "Building Relational and Critical Thinking Skills: The Power of Peer-led RJ Circles Among First Year College Students." Chapter 10 in Reframing Campus Conflict and Student Conduct Practice for Inclusive Excellence, 2nd edition, edited by Jennifer Meyer Schrage and Nancy Geist Giacomini. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishers. Herndon, VA: Stylus.
Karp, David R. and Kaaren Williamsen. 2020. Five Things Student Affairs Administrators Should Know about Restorative Justice and Campus Sexual Harm. Washington, DC.: NASPA.
McMahon, Sheila M. and Pederson, Shelby. 2020, October. “Love and compassion not found Elsewhere”: A Photovoice exploration of restorative justice and nonviolent communication in a community-based juvenile justice diversion program. Children and Youth Services Review, Vol. 117.
Behel, Jay M.. 2019. “I Shall Be Released.” Restorative Justice Techniques Can Address Healthcare Burnout & Attrition." Reflective MedEd.
Karp, David R. 2019. "Restorative Justice and Responsive Regulation in Higher Education: The Complex Web of Campus Sexual Assault Policy in the United States and a Restorative Alternative.” Pp. 143-164 in Restorative and Responsive Human Services, edited by Gale Burford, Valerie Braithwaite, and John Braithwaite. New York: Routledge.
Karp, David R. and Megan Schachter. 2019. “Restorative Justice in Colleges and Universities: What Works When Addressing Student Misconduct.” Pp. 247-263 in The Routledge Handbook of Restorative Justice, edited by Theo Gavrielides. New York: Routledge.
Lopez, Elise C., Mary P. Koss, David R. Karp, Jay K. Wilgus. 2019. "Restorative Justice for Campus Sexual Misconduct." Chapter 11 in Adjudicating Campus Sexual Misconduct and Assault: Controversies and Challenges, edited by Claire M. Renzetti and Diane R. Follingstad. San Diego, CA: Cognella.
Wilgus, Jay, David R. Karp, and Kaaren M. Williamsen. 2019. Comment Submitted to Department of Education on Changes to Title IX. Campus PRISM Project Briefing Paper.
Behel, Jay M., and Adrienne S. Lawson. 2018. "Healing the Healers." AAMC News.
Ehnow, Robert Michael. 2018. Formerly Incarcerated Adults in Higher Education: A Life-History Study of a Restorative Approach to Prisoner Reentry. PhD Dissertation in Leadership Studies. University of San Diego.
Karp, David R. 2018. “Restorative Justice as a Path Forward for Title IX Cases.” Commission for Student Conduct & Legal Issues-Blog. /p>
Karp, David R. and Megan Schachter. 2018. "Restorative Justice in Colleges and Universities: What Works When Addressing Student Misconduct." Pp. 247-263 in The Routledge Handbook of Restorative Justice, edited by Theo Gavrielides. New York: Routledge.
McMahon, Sheila M., David R. Karp, and Hayley Mulhern. 2018. "Addressing Individual and Community Needs in the Aftermath of Campus Sexual Misconduct: Restorative Justice as a Way Forward in the Re-Entry Process." Journal of Sexual Aggression. DOI: 10.1080/13552600.2018.1507488
Rico, Robert, Kim Sullivan, and David Karp. 2018. Texas Fraternity Bias Incident: A Restorative Justice Case Study. University of San Diego Center for Restorative Justice./p>
Sharp, Susan. 2018. Restorative Justice and Catholic Social Tradition: A Natural Alignment. Restorative Justice Network of Catholic Campuses Briefing Paper.
Acosta, David and David R. Karp. 2017. "Restorative Justice as the Rx for Mistreatment in Academic Medicine: Applications to Consider for Learners, Faculty and Staff.” Academic Medicine 93: 354-356. DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000002037
Karp, D. (2017, December). Briefing paper: next steps for a restorative justice approach to campus-based sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual violence. Campus PRISM Project Promoting Restorative Initiatives on Sexual Misconduct at Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from www.sandiego.edu/soles/documents/center-restorative-justice/Next-Steps-for-restorative justice-Campus-PRISM.pdf (last accessed 20 January 2023).
Karp, David R. 2016. Campus PRISM Project Briefing Paper: Distinguishing Restorative Justice from Mediation. Saratoga Springs, NY: Skidmore College Project on Restorative Justice.
Karp, David R. and Olivia Frank. 2016. “Anxiously Awaiting the Future of Restorative Justice in the United States.” Victims & Offenders 11: 50-70.
Karp, David R., Julie Shackford-Bradley, Robin J. Wilson, and Kaaren M. Williamsen. 2016. Campus PRISM: A Report on Promoting Restorative Initiatives for Sexual Misconduct on College Campuses. Saratoga Springs, NY: Skidmore College Project on Restorative Justice.
Listen
Podcasts & Radio
2023
A Bit More Complicated by and hosted by Dylan Selterman and Manuel Galvan with guest Dr. David Karp. November, 2023.
At the Edge of It All by University of San Diego. Hosted by Lissette Martinez and Elena Gomez with guest David Karp. November, 2023.
The Restorative Parenting Podcast by Mint House. Hosted by Joy Bettles with guests Justine Andreu Darling, Crystena Parker-Shandal, and Lindsey Pointer. April, 2023.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restorative-parenting/id1678497306
Dr. Erik Wessel and Dr. Kaaren Williamsen discuss the need for, case for, and how to of restorative justice processes to make possible healing, accountability, and learning and unlearning in cases of campus sexual misconduct.
Edwards, K. (Host). (2023, Oct. 18). Applying Restorative Justice to Campus Sexual Misconduct: A Guide to Emerging Practices (No. 174) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student Affairs NOW. https://studentaffairsnow.com/restorative-justice/
2022
This Restorative Justice Life Podcast. Episode 100. October 2022
Encounters With Dignity Podcast. Episode 9. September 2022.
2019
Curious Conversations About Sex Podcast. May 29, 2019
Curious Conversations About Sex Podcast. May 29, 2019
2018
Reckonings Podcast. Episode 21. December 3, 2018
KQED Forum. San Francisco Public Radio. August 31, 2018.
https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101867018/metoos-complicated-relationship-with-redemption
Radio New Zealand. Sunday Morning with Wallace Chapman. July 15, 2018.
Association for Student Conduct Administration Viewpoints Podcast. April 3, 2018.
Watch
Webinars & Interviews
2023
With Kaaren Williamsen, Pablo Cerdera, and Sheila McMahon; moderated by Frazier Benya. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Public 2023 Summit. October 2023.
2022
With Marcus Mescher, Heather Kimball, and Yohuru Williams. Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education. March 2022.
With Marilyn Armour, Lindsey Pointer, and Abby Crocker. April 2022.
2020
With Tomay Varlack-Butler. University of San Diego Department of Learning and Teaching Social Justice and Advocacy Series. November 2020.
With Paige Duggins-Clay and Scott Schneider. Husch-Blackwell. January 2020.
https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2162283/45CC1A978F1804FCB0650CEAA913797C
2019
Association of American Medical Colleges. September 2019.
Interview with Duke Fisher and Toni McMurphy. Campus PRISM Project. February 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXXxTvW4eZc
With Kaaren Williamsen, Mary Koss, and Jasmyn Story. Network for Victim Recovery of DC and Men Can Stop Rape. February 2018.
https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/467520429507161858?assets=true
2018
With Howard Zehr and Kaaren Williamsen. Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice, Eastern Mennonite University. February 2018.
https://zehr-institute.org/webinars/restorative-responses-to-sexual-assault-on-college-campuses/
2017
With Julie Shackford-Bradley and Jasmyn Story. NASPA. February 2017.
https://www.naspa.org/course/restorative-responses-for-campus-climate-in-the-post-election-era
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