Marylis Fantoni, who earned her Ph.D. in public affairs from the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, has been awarded a Best Dissertation Award for 2026 from the Public Management Research Association as well as the Academy of Management.
Fantoni’s dissertation, “Channel, Communication and Composition: Improving Reporting of Domestic Violence,” addresses a critical gap in public administration literature by treating the reporting of domestic violence as a vital public service. Her work investigates the systemic barriers survivors face and explores how specific policy shifts—such as implementing online reporting channels—can increase the likelihood of survivors seeking help.
“In essence, while the topic is about criminal justice, the dissertation is centered on a fundamental public management question: How do we deliver better services for vulnerable populations?” Fantoni said. “I feel that domestic violence is a neglected field within public administration, but the signal from both the PMRA and the AOM with this award is that not only does the topic matter, but the rigor of my dissertation, both theoretical and methodological, has been valued.”
The PMRA Best Dissertation Award recognizes exemplary doctoral research in public management. The award honors dissertations that demonstrate strong theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, and clear relevance to the study and practice of public management.
The AOM honored Fantoni’s work for “its ability to use well-executed methods to answer critical but neglected questions, thereby breaking new ground in the public management literature.” The AOM went on to note, “The fact that results do not always confirm expectations opens up a promising and important agenda for further exploration, with clear benefits for both research and practice.”
Fantoni’s research journey involved extensive collaboration and data acquisition, including exclusive access to records from the Indiana Supreme Court. Fantoni also examined the critical next steps after a protective order is filed, focusing on the role of judicial composition in determining outcomes for survivors.
“Hard work pays off,” Fantoni said. “Low-hanging fruit might seem attractive, but I have learned that putting time, effort and passion into something you truly care about can lead to greater rewards down the road.”
Fantoni, who is currently an assistant professor at Brigham Young University, plans to continue producing rigorous research that translates complex data into improved management practices for public institutions serving those most in need.
“I also would like to thank the excellent training and support I received at the O’Neill School especially from my dissertation committee, including O’Neill Professor Claudia Avellaneda, Professor Coady Wing, Assistant Professor Paolo Belardineli, and Professor Jill Nicholson-Crotty,” Fantoni said. “Although my dissertation is entirely solo-authored, I could not have done it without their support and unparalleled mentoring.”