About
Grace Carson, J.D., is a visiting assistant professor at The University of Tulsa College of Law, specializing in tribal law and federal Indian law. Her research explores the ways in which federal Indian law impacts tribes’ ability to govern, and conversely, the ways in which the United States and its legal systems can look to tribal law as a source of legal innovation. She writes about court and justice innovations in tribal law, tribal criminal jurisdiction, tribal criminal legal reform, the impact of settler colonialism on tribal governance and other aspects of tribal governance and justice systems. Carson’s scholarship draws on both legal and interdisciplinary frameworks, engaging theories from critical Indigenous studies, critical race theory, feminist theory, critical ethnic studies and other critical traditions.
Before joining The University of Tulsa, Carson was a Skadden Fellow for the Tribal Law and Policy Institute and later worked as a tribal law and policy consultant. In those roles, she focused on tribal justice and nation building, including the development of innovative justice systems such as Tribal Healing and Wellness Courts, Peacemaking programs, restorative justice processes for tribal youth and other Indigenous justice initiatives.
Education
- J.D., UCLA School of Law
Research interests and areas of expertise
- Federal Indian law
- Tribal law
- Criminal law
- Criminal legal reform
- Justice innovation
- Restorative justice
- Critical Indigenous studies
- Critical race theory