The Messy Scholar's Mind
My name is Romy Zingraff, and I am a PhD student in Criminal Justice.
The Messy Scholar’s Mind is exactly what it sounds like: a slightly chaotic but genuinely useful corner of the internet where all my academic worlds meet. It’s part student resource hub, part research notebook, part true crime reality check, and part space for navigating graduate school as an international scholar.
My website is meant to be a centralized place where students, curious readers, and fellow messy scholars can find practical tools, thoughtful reflections, and accessible conversations about crime, justice, and academic life.
Feel free to reach out, I would love to hear from fellow scholars, students, and professionals in the field!
"Don't wait for inspiration. It comes while working."
My Publications
Eleuterio-da-Rocha, J., da Silva, D. A., & Zingraff, R. (2025). Officer Gender and Suspects Resisting Arrest: A Case-Control Study in Brazil. Women & Criminal Justice, 1–18.
CV et al.
CV Last updated: April 4th, 2025 Syllabi CJ 4340. Crime Theory and Victimization. This course examines the causes of crime, crime victimization and competing explanations for crime
3 Myths True Crime Teaches Us About Justice
If you’ve ever watched Criminal Minds and thought, wow, thank God crime gets solved so efficiently, you’re not alone. True crime and crime dramas have
My Academic Journey
Welcome! I’m Romy Zingraff, a PhD student in Criminal Justice at Texas State University (Eat ’Em Up, Cats!). My research examines missing persons in the
The PhD Student Specials
Checklist Dissertation Planning – This template is a step-by-step dissertation planning checklist designed to help you break your dissertation process into clear, manageable stages. It walks you through
Role-Based Task Lists
PhD & Research – This template is a simple role-based task list for your academic life, designed to help you track everything you need