Dr. Kathryn Branch is a Professor and the Chair of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department of the University of Tampa. She received her Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of South Florida in 2005.

Dr. Branch's current research examines ways in which sexual violence affects college populations and campus communities. She is currently the co-investigator on a project using "big data" to understand the backlash against campus gender-based violence policies. The study examines the longitudinal trajectory of CGBV advancements as well as backlash events. Her research is featured in Feminist Criminology, The Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Violence & Victims, and Violence Against Women. She is especially interested in alternative methods for coping with trauma and is currently undergoing a 200 hour yoga teacher training with the intent to become certified in trauma-sensitive yoga.

Dr. Branch is dedicated to serving her community. She is actively engaged with Girls on the Run (GOTR), a 10 week afterschool care program for girls in 3rd-5th grade that teaches life skills through running. In 2016, she was selected by Bay News 9 as an Everyday Hero for her work with the Girls on the Run of Greater Tampa Bay. She is a race committee member for Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay 5k and has been a "solemate" and running buddy for the program. In 2019, she became a certified GOTR coach and coached her first team of 18 girls.