Ulmer's research often mixes quantitative and qualitative data, and draws on organizational theory in sociology.
Some of this research integrates the religion-crime relationship with major criminological theories such as differential association/social learning, social and self control.
For example, studies by Ulmer and Casey T. Harris found that traditionally African American Protestant denominations' local church presence has a uniquely protective effect on violent crime.
Jeffery Ulmer has been awarded funding for his research from the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Justice, the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, The Pennsylvania Interbranch Commission on Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Fairness, the Falk Foundation, and other organizations.
In addition, he and coauthor Darrell Steffensmeier, Casey Harris, and Ben Feldmeyer won the American Society of Criminology’s 2012 Outstanding Article Award.