Joan Reid, PhD, professor in the Department of Criminology and director of the Trafficking in Persons Risk to Resilience Research Lab, received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 18th Annual Polaris Star Award Gala, hosted by United Abolitionists, on Jan. 23.
Reid was honored for her ongoing research and contributions to the anti-trafficking community. The gala was held during the 18th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Conference, co-hosted by the University of Central Florida鈥檚 Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery and United Abolitionists.
This is the second year in a row the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences and the USF Department of Criminology have been represented at the awards. In 2025, Reid's colleague Shelly Wagers, PhD, an associate professor, was recognized for her work as director of the BRIGHT Project, a digital platform connecting human trafficking service providers to support victims and survivors with individualized resources.