Owen Jones
Trials and Errors: Research network explores promise, limitations of using neuroscience to inform criminal justice
Aug. 5, 2020—As the combination of neuroscience and law—or “neurolaw” as some call it—has been gaining traction in courtrooms in recent years, Professor Owen Jones and his colleagues have used the burgeoning field to ask deeper questions about the criminal justice system itself.
New research on ‘endowment effect’ points to evolutionary roots of cognitive biases
May. 27, 2020—Evolution may explain why we overvalue some things—but not others—to an irrational degree.
Rokas to lead budding cross-disciplinary collaboration on evolutionary studies
Aug. 14, 2019—The Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative seeks to position the university as a global leader in evolutionary studies by engaging a large group of scholars who share this research interest.
Six new endowed chairs from Medicine, A&S, Owen and Law School honored
May. 3, 2019—Vanderbilt’s six newest endowed chairs were honored by colleagues, university leaders, family members and donors at a ceremony on April 30 in the Student Life Center.
Law, neuroscience student earns NIJ fellowship
Dec. 6, 2017—A student from the nation’s first joint law and neuroscience J.D. and Ph.D. program, housed at Vanderbilt University, has earned a $50,000 graduate research fellowship from the National Institute of Justice.
Neuroscientists can measure criminal intent – at least in the moment
Mar. 13, 2017—Intent to commit a crime is a crucial factor in determining prison sentences. A new neuro study suggests it is possible to measure subtle variations in intent while a crime is being committed.
Ten Vanderbilt faculty members elected AAAS fellows
Nov. 23, 2015—Ten members of Vanderbilt University’s faculty have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
How your brain decides blame and punishment—and how it can be changed
Sep. 16, 2015—New work by researchers at Vanderbilt University and Harvard University confirms that a specific area of the brain, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, is crucial to punishment decisions.
Law and neuroscience research gets $1.4 million in additional grant money
Sep. 14, 2015—A $1.4 million grant will allow a research network based at Vanderbilt to continue its study of the intersection of neuroscience and criminal justice.
Landmark book ‘Law and Neuroscience’ released
Sep. 5, 2014—The new book 'Law and Neuroscience' is the definitive reference book on the use of neuroscientific evidence in courtrooms.
Fault trumps gruesome evidence when it comes to meting out punishment
Aug. 3, 2014—A new brain study has identified the brain mechanisms that underlie our judgment of how severely a person who has harmed another should be punished.
Wyatt Award presented to Owen Jones; four others honored
Apr. 3, 2014—Owen Jones was named winner of the Joe B. Wyatt Distinguished University Professor Award at Spring Faculty Assembly. Also honored with awards were Teresa Goddu, Jay Clayton, Marc Hetherington and Leigh Gilchrist.