Dr. Linda M. Merola is an Associate Professor of Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University. Professor Merola’s academic interests relate to civil liberties, constitutional law, the judiciary, public opinion and legal psychology. She has published articles concerning terrorism, civil liberties, the judiciary, and various topics related to the public’s interaction with and knowledge of the criminal justice system. Professor Merola received a Ph.D. in government from Georgetown University, where she was awarded the Harold N. Glassman Dissertation Award for the most accomplished dissertation in the social science disciplines. In addition, Professor Merola holds a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School, where she served on The George Washington Law Review and was admitted to the Virginia State Bar Association. Professor Merola has also received advanced training in research methodology, statistics and survey/experimental methods through the National Science Foundation and Duke University, as well at the University of Michigan as a recipient of the Miller Scholarship.