Hello and thank you for visiting my page!

I received my B.S. in Systems Engineering from the Turkish Military Academy and my M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from Louisiana State University. I joined the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Middle Tennessee State University in 2020. I am a sociologist and criminologist whose work examines how social institutions, life experiences, and the communities in which people live shape health, behavior, and life trajectories. Much of my research sits at the intersection of criminology, health and mental health, and life-course/developmental approaches.

A central focus of my research is how experiences, transitions, and turning points across the life course shape crime, deviance, health, and well-being. My work has examined topics ranging from childhood adversity and juvenile delinquency to mental health, trauma, and military service. More recently, I have focused on military and veteran populations, examining military service as an institutional and life-course experience and exploring its implications for health, social integration, crime, and incarceration. My work has appeared in journals across criminology, sociology, health, social epidemiology, and military and veteran studies. I specialize in quantitative research and work extensively with both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. My research draws on a range of statistical approaches, including longitudinal and multilevel models, fixed-effects models, structural equation modeling, and categorical data analysis.

My broader interests include communities, place, and development, particularly how community and institutional contexts create opportunities and constraints, contribute to social and health inequalities, and shape individual and collective outcomes. These interests also inform my involvement in applied and community-focused initiatives at MTSU and my growing interest in research that connects sociological scholarship with the needs and challenges of communities.

At MTSU, I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in criminology and deviance, juvenile delinquency, statistics and data analysis, mental health, and other areas of sociology. Across my teaching, research, and applied work, I am especially interested in connecting sociological ideas and evidence to questions that matter beyond the classroom.

I grew up in Ankara, Turkey, where most of my family still lives. Outside of work, I enjoy watching and playing soccer, playing musical instruments, woodworking, hiking and camping, and spending time with cats.

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PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Escobedo, A., Orak, U., Solinas-Saunders, M., & Stacer, M. J. 2026. “Still a soldier: Navigating military identity during incarceration.” Punishment & Society, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14624745261473739 

*Baltimore, V., Davis, R., Orak, U. Solakoglu, L. and Davenport, C. 2026. “Early Perceptions, Enduring Consequences: How School Safety Concerns Shape Criminal Trajectories Through Developmental Pathways.” Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 11, 230-253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-025-00288-3 

*Escobedo, A. and Orak, U. 2025. “A Scoping Review of Service Members and Veterans as Criminal Justice System Actors.” Criminal Justice Review, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/07340168251361152  

Ozbay, O., Orak, U., and Bindik, S. 2025. “Social class and deviance among young adults in Türkiye.” International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/01924036.2025.2544840

*Orak, U., Soileau, C., Harter, J., Dobson, C., & Huey Dye, M. 2024. Juvenile Violent Victimization and Adult Criminal Outcomes: The Role of Military Service as a Turning Point in Young Adulthood. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Online First. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605231211923 

Orak, U., Kelton, K., Vaugh, M. G., Tsai, J., & Pietrzak, R. H. 2023. Homelessness and Contact with the Criminal Legal System among U.S. Combat Veterans: An Exploration of Potential Mediating Factors. Criminal Justice and Behavior https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548221140352  

Orak, Ugur and Ozgur Solakoglu. 2023. "Strain and Deviant Reactions in Compulsory Military Service: An Investigation of Mediating Mechanisms." Crime & Delinquency. Online First. doi:10.1177/0011128721999337 

Orak, U., Yildiz, M., Aydogdu, R., Koenig, H., Pietrzak, R. 2023. The relationship between combat exposure and suicide risk in U.S. military veterans: Exploring the role of posttraumatic stress symptoms and religious coping. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.115

*Hamilton, B., Orak, U. & Wallace, B. 2023. Internet Use as A Moderator of the Relationship between Age and Depression: Implications for Older Adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648221142930   

Orak, Ugur, Alper Kayaalp, Mark H Walker, and Kevin Breault. 2022. "Resilience and Depression in Military Service: Evidence From the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health)." Military Medicine. Online First. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usab364

Yıldız, M., Orak, U. & Aydoğdu, R. 2022. Enduring Effects of Early Life Traumas on Adult Suicidal Ideation. Journ Child & Adolescent Trauma. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-022-00482-1

Orak, Ugur and Mark H. Walker. 2021. "Military Service: A Pathway to Conformity or a School for Deviance?" Crime & Delinquency 67(6-7):1046-1069. doi:10.1177/0011128719850497

Aydogdu, Ramazan, Muhammed Yildiz, and Ugur Orak. 2021. "Religion and wellbeing: devotion, happiness and life satisfaction in Turkey." Mental Health, Religion & Culture, Online First. DOI: 10.1080/13674676.2021.1969353

Aydiner, Cihan, Ugur Orak, and Ozgur Solakoglu. 2020. "What Factors Influenced Turkish Military Officers’ and NCOs’ Motivation to Serve Prior to the July 2016 Coup Attempt?" Armed Forces & Society 46(4):635-656. doi:10.1177/0095327X19841663

Orak, Ugur, Muhammed Yildiz, Ozgur Solakoglu, Ramazan Aydogdu, and Cihan Aydiner. 2020. "The Utility of Social Learning Theory in Explaining Cigarette Use in a Military Setting." Substance Use & Misuse 55:5, 787-795. DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2019.1702701

Yıldız, Muhammed, Ugur Orak, Mark H. Walker, and Ozgur Solakoglu. 2019. "Suicide contagion, gender, and suicide attempts among adolescents." Death Studies 43(6):365-371. doi:10.1080/07481187.2018.1478914

Orak, Ugur and Kasim Dogan. 2018. “What Comes After ISIS: A Sociological Analysis of Radicalisation into Violent Extremism.” Horizon Insights 2018(1):23-38. https://www.behorizon.org/what-comes-after-isis/

Orak, Ugur and Ozgur Solakoglu. 2017. "Alcohol Consumption Among Turkish Adolescents: An Empirical Test of General Strain Theory." Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse 26:4, 293-302. DOI: 10.1080/1067828X.2017.1305931

Orak, Ugur and Ozgur Solakoglu. 2016. "A Comparative Analysis of Attitudes Toward Immigrants." International journal of criminology and sociology 5: 143-153.

Solakoglu, Ozgur and Ugur Orak. 2016. "School truancy among Turkish high school students: A test of General Strain Theory." Journal of Human Sciences 13(1): 1460–1472.

RESEARCH REPORTS AND POLICY BRIEFS

*Dobson, Claire and Ugur Orak. 2024. “A Scoping Review of the Effects of Climate Change on Crime Rates.” NAVI Research Institute. https://nato-veterans.org/a-scoping-review-of-the-effects-of-climate-change-on-crime-rates/ 

Orak, Ugur. 2024. “Reflections on Civil-Military Relations in Fragile States.” NAVI Research Institute. https://nato-veterans.org/reflections-on-civil-military-relations-in-fragile-states/

Orak, Ugur. 2024. “The Role of Military Service in Human Life and Behavior.” NAVI Research Institute. https://nato-veterans.org/the-role-of-military-service-in-human-life-and-behavior/

Orak, Ugur. 2023. “From Service to Sentencing: Unraveling Risk Factors for Criminal Justice Involvement Among U.S. Veterans.” Council on Criminal Justice. https://counciloncj.org/from-service-to-sentencing-unraveling-risk-factors-for-criminal-justice-involvement-among-u-s-veterans/

*with students

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ACADEMIC CONFERENCES

*Escobedo, A. Orak, U., Solinas-Saunders, M. and Stacer, M. “Veteran Voices Within Prison Walls: Exploring Military and Prison Experiences Through Personal Narrative.” Presented at the American Society of Criminology 2025 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

*Davenport, C., Orak, U., and Baltimore, V. “The Experience of Homelessness and Perceived Unfair Police Treatment.” Presented at the American Society of Criminology 2024 Annual Meeting in November 2024 in San Francisco, CA.

*Baltimore, V., Orak, U., and Davenport, C. “Adolescent’s Perceptions of School Safety and Criminal Offending in the Life Course.” Presented at the American Society of Criminology 2024 Annual Meeting in November 2024 in San Francisco, CA.

*Orak, U. and Fowler, C. “Work-Related Stressors and Criminal Behavior.” Presented at the Southern Sociological Society 2024 Annual Meeting in April 2024 in New Orleans, LA.

*Orak, U., Soileau, C., Harter, J., Dobson, C., & Huey Dye, M. "Juvenile Violent Victimization and Adult Criminal Outcomes: The Role of Military Service." Presented at the American Society of Criminology 2023 Annual Meeting in November 2023 in Philadelphia, PA. 

Orak, U. "Moral Injury and Criminal JusticeInvolvement among Veterans," Presented at the Southern Sociological Society 2023 Annual Meeting, The Sheraton, Myrtle Beach, SC, United States of America.

Orak, Ugur, Katherine Kelton, and Michael Vaughn. "Homelessness and Contact with Criminal Legal System among Combat Veterans." Presented at the American Society of Criminology 2022 Annual Meeting in November 2022 in Atlanta, GA.  

Orak, Ugur. "Combat experience, negative affect, religiosity, and suicidality: A conditional process analysis." Presented at Mid South Sociological Association 2022 Annual Meeting in October 2022 in Nashville, TN.  

Orak, Ugur. "Military Service Status, Combat Experience, and Suicidal Trajectories: Moderating Effects of Sex, Race, and Socioeconomic Status." Presented at Southern Sociological Society 2022 Annual Meeting in April 2022 in Birmingham, AL. 

Orak, Ugur. "Trauma Exposure, Religiosity, and Suicide Ideation among Veterans." Presented at the Eastern Sociological Society 2022 Annual Meeting in March 2022. Virtual. 

Orak, Ugur, Southern Sociological Society 2021 Annual Meeting, "Strain and deviant reactions in compulsory military service: An investigation of mediating mechanisms," Virtual.

Orak, Ugur, Suheyl Gurbuz, Muhammed Yildiz, and Emirhan Demirhan. “Drug-Using Behaviors of Turkish Armed Forces Soldiers: A Social Control Perspective.” Presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meeting in August 2019 in New York, NY.

Orak, Ugur. “The Effect of Military Service on Trajectories of Psychological Distress.” Presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meeting in August 2019 in New
York, NY.

Orak, Ugur. “Deviant Behaviors and Their Determinants in a Conscription Military System.” Presented at the Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting in March 2019 in Boston, MA.

Orak, Ugur. “A Longitudinal Analysis of Differential Mental Health Outcomes of the Military Service.” Presented at the Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting in April 2018 in New Orleans, LA.

Orak, Ugur and Muhammed Yildiz. “Stress Process Model of Suicidal Behaviors: Findings from National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health).” Presented at the Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting in April 2018 in New Orleans, LA.

Orak, Ugur and Cihan Aydiner. “Organizational Predictors of Work Engagement among Turkish Military Officers.” Presented at the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society Annual Meeting in November 2017 in Reston, VA.

Orak, Ugur and Cihan Aydiner. “Motivation to Serve in Turkish Armed Forces.” Presented at the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society Annual Meeting in November 2017 in Reston, VA.

Orak, Ugur. “An Analysis of Natives’ Attitudes toward Immigrants.” Presented at the Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting in April 2017 in Greenville, SC.

Orak, Ugur. “A Criminological Assessment of Tobacco Use among Turkish Cadets.” Presented at the Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting in February 2017 in
Philadelphia, PA.

Orak, Ugur, Ozgur Solakoglu. “Alcohol Consumption among Turkish Adolescents: A Test of General Strain Theory.” Presented at the American Society of Criminology Annual Meeting in November 2016 in New Orleans, LA.

Orak, Ugur. “A Panel Data Analysis: Examining Trends in the Gender Gap in Fear of Crime, 1994-2012.” Presented at the Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting in April 2016 in Atlanta, GA.

Orak, Ugur. “Modeling Deviance in a Military Context: Deviant Soldiers Approach.” Presented at the Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting in March 2016 in Boston, MA.

INVITED TALKS

Orak. U. 2025. “Graduate Program Symposium.” Mid-Sociological Association 2025 Annual Meeting, North Augusta, SC.

Orak. U. 2021. “Getting the most out of Professional Conferences.” MT Student Sociologists & Proseminar Career Night. Middle Tennessee State University.

Orak. U. 2019. “The Relationship between Poverty and Crime.” Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency Poverty Symposium, Carbone Auditorium, Utica, NY, January 28, 2019.

Orak. U. 2018. “A Comparative Analysis of Influences of Military Service on Deviant Behaviors.” Utica University Faculty Research Day in November 2018 in Utica, NY.

Orak. U. 2018. “The Decline of a Modern Democracy: Turkey, Turkish Politics, and the U.S.-Turkey Relations,” Presented at Pizza and Politics, Utica University, October 10, 2018.

Orak. U. 2016. “Military Responses to Syrian Refugees Crisis: Social, Demographic, and Security Implications.” NATO Strategic Military Partners Conference, January 2016, Izmir, TURKEY.

*with students

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United States Senate, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs               

https://www.veterans.senate.gov/services/files/A0926091-E14C-4DE1-8025-3ADAF727EBDF  

US Department of Justice Office for Access to Justice

https://www.justice.gov/atj/fact-sheet-access-justice-access-veterans#_ednref11    

Death Penalty Information Center

https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/a-veterans-day-review-uneven-progress-understanding-the-role-of-military-service-in-capital-crimes  https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/research/analysis/reports/in-depth/forgotten-service-lasting-wounds 

The Council of State Governments Southern Office

https://csgsouth.org/policies/from-service-to-stability-policies-geared-towards-supporting-veterans/ 

Right on Crime

https://rightoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-ROC-Veteran-Treatment-Courts-HorzempaComley.pdf 

California Association of School Psychologists

https://casponline.org/pdfs/position-papers/Suicide%20prevention%20final%205.19.pdf                 

The Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/06/22/united-states-deported-veterans/                 

MTSU News

https://mtsunews.com/mtsu-coe-urp-scholars-panel-2024                                  

https://mtsunews.com/coe-urp-scholars-2024-25/ 

https://mtsunews.com/chair-of-excellence-inaugural-scholars-faculty-advisory-committee/ 

https://mtsunews.com/2026/09/01/15-years-of-true-blue-pledge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=15-years-of-true-blue-pledge 

USA Today

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2023/11/10/jail-incarceration-criminal-justice-fail-struggling-veterans/71426586007/ 

Richmond Public Interest Law Review

https://pilr.richmond.edu/2024/12/03/from-service-to-struggle-navigating-legal-challenges-faced-by-veterans-in-the-civil-and-criminal-justice-systems/    

Daily Memphian

https://dailymemphian.com/section/metro/article/34624/memphis-juvenile-crime-mscs-truancy-chronic-absenteeism                

Arizona Mirror

https://azmirror.com/2025/11/20/veterans-condemn-deportations-of-immigrant-service-members-under-trump/ 

8 News Now               

https://www.8newsnow.com/business/press-releases/cision/20251110PH20274/new-initiative-in-texas-to-help-veterans-with-criminal-records-reenter-the-workforce/ 

Responsible Business Initiative               

https://www.rbij.org/rbij-blog/veterans-with-records-deserve-a-path-back-to-work?utm_campaign=RBIJ%20General&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9CStpw9uMZ4nCGtzNPI7zt-C27_dICQ9Fo8NH1zgaSxNmVoluOgtc8OD0jUUaCwvOaHydY 

RISE               

https://www.seeusrise.org/blog/veterans-day-25-a-nation-of-heroes-facing-an-unfair-cycle

Psych Central

https://psychcentral.com/health/social-learning-theory 

Observer-Dispatch

https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/education/2019/01/29/symposium-explores-cycle-poverty/6172820007/ 

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