Robert Owens

Robert Owens has taught at the Harris School since 2019 on topics including police reform, legitimacy theory, and government oversight and administration. He also serves as Director of Public Safety at the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago. He has worked on public safety and good government issues from multiple angles, including research, teaching, consulting, government oversight, and strategic planning and program implementation. He has previously held positions at the National Policing Institute, City of Chicago Office of Inspector General, and the Civic Consulting Alliance. Robert earned an A.B. in Social Studies from Harvard University, an M.L.S. in Legal Studies from the University of Chicago Law School, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago. He lives in Chicago with his wife and two sons.