Shawn Bushway

Co-Founder, Chief Scientist

Dr. Shawn Bushway is a nationally recognized criminologist whose pioneering research has reshaped how policymakers, researchers, and employers understand crime, desistance, and opportunity. Over the past two decades, his work has focused on the science of how people move forward with their lives after a conviction—and how data can be used to tell a more complete and accurate story than stigma or assumption ever could.

A professor, researcher, and policy expert, Dr. Bushway has authored influential studies on recidivism patterns, background checks, and the long-term decline in risk that occurs when individuals remain conviction-free. His research has been cited widely in academic, legal, and governmental circles. The Bushway Opportunity Score, developed from over a decade of multi-state data, reflects his commitment to advancing evidence-based tools that promote fairness while helping employers make more informed decisions.

At Bushway Works, Dr. Bushway leads scientific oversight, model development, and ongoing research partnerships that ensure the organization delivers trustworthy, rigorous, and transparent insights.