Dr. Janaé Bonsu-Love (she/her) is an accomplished activist researcher, advocate, and educator dedicated to advancing equity and social change. With extensive experience in intersectional research, she has led numerous mixed-method projects in nonprofit and movement-building spaces, focusing on race, gender, and criminalization. Her work bridges research and advocacy, with a commitment to producing actionable findings that support grassroots campaigns and build organizational capacity. Janaé’s movement-driven research is highlighted in her co-authored book, Imperial Policing: Weaponized Data in Carceral Chicago (University of Minnesota Press, 2024), which examines the global implications of imperial policing and abolition. Janaé’s leadership, research, and advocacy experience includes roles at the National Black Women’s Justice Institute (NBWJI) and Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100). She currently serves as an expert adviser to the Women’s Justice Commission at the Council on Criminal Justice and on the board of directors at mRelief, a nonprofit transforming access to social services.

As an educator, Janaé has taught graduate and undergraduate courses on social work, policy, and social movements at institutions such as the University of Illinois-Chicago and Northeastern Illinois University.

Janaé holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago, an MA in Social Work, Policy, and Administration from the University of Chicago, and a BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina. She is also a Licensed Master Social Worker committed to holistic health and wellness. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking nourishing meals and spending time with her family.