Faculty research involves students at all levels
Faculty and students are conducting research on criminal justice issues in several critical areas. The UNO SCCJ currently operates over $7.5 million in external funding to advance scientific knowledge and criminal justice policy, including assisting criminal justice agencies in support of their research priorities. Federal agencies that have provided funding for research projects include the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office on Violence Against Women, National Institute of Justice, Department of Homeland Security as well as many local and state agencies.
Faculty and students publish research findings in academic journals (see available preprints in CrimRXiv), present findings at national and regional conferences, and disseminate reports to community stakeholders to inform best practices and evidence-based policies.
SCCJ Research Labs and Projects
Funded Graduate Research Assistantship opportunities may be available to UNO SCCJ graduate students. Direct inquiries to Dr. Todd Armstrong, Doctoral Program Coordinator.
The Nebraska Collaborative for Violence Intervention and Prevention (NeCVIP) is a collaboration between UNO SCCJ and UNMC College of Medicine, Department of Surgery to reduce gun violence, strengthen community assets and culture, and apply science to ensure effective outcomes. The Collaborative augments the criminal justice system’s efforts to reduce violence through enforcement, while building and evaluating additional solutions of prevention, intervention, and enforcement, and reentry strategies for juvenile and adult justice including ENCOMPASS, a hospital based violence intervention program. The Collaborative is co-directed by Dr. Gaylene Armstrong (UNO SCCJ) and trauma surgeon Dr. Charity Evans, UNMC and includes Dr. Mark Foxall.
The Victimology and Victim Studies Research Lab (VVSRL) conducts high quality research related to crime victims and crime victimization, inform policy and practice, and help shape prevention and intervention efforts. The VVSRL draws from undergraduate students engaged in the UNO SCCJ victim studies concentration/minor and the SCCJ graduate programs utilizing a structured mentoring model to develop future generations of victimology scholars. Several ongoing projects are led by Tara Richards, Ph.D., Leah Butler, Ph.D., Teresa Kulig, Ph.D., and Emily Wright, Ph.D.
The Violence Intervention and Policing Research (VIPR) Lab is an interdisciplinary, collaborative effort that focuses on enhancing public safety by providing research, resources, and training that engages with state agencies, practitioners, and the community. The VIPR Law works with SCCJ undergraduate and graduate student to conduct data-intensive research, develop specialized skills, and connect with the public in policy formulation. Several studies in Policing,Terrorism and Targeted Violence by SCCJ faculty members Justin Nix, Ph.D., Sadaf Hashimi, Ph.D., Jessie Huff, Ph.D., Erin Kearns, Ph.D., and Samantha Clinkinbeard, Ph.D. are underway.
National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education Center (NCITE) UNO SCCJ is a partner in the university-wide initiative led by Dr. Gina Ligon including more than 50 researchers from 18 academic institutions working on 10 focused projects. SCCJ's Dr. Erin Kearns and Research Associate Kat Parsons focus their research in this area. Learn more about ongoing projects.
The Crime and Justice Public Opinion Lab (CJPOL) tracks public beliefs, attitudes, and opinions on a broad range of crime, law, and justice related issues. These include beliefs about the nature of crime and victimization, attitudes toward people who commit crime, attitudes about victims of crime, and opinions on laws, policies, and practices across the criminal legal system. The CJPOL draws from undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students who are interested in learning more about public opinion, the factors that influence public opinion, and the methodologies used in public opinion research. Several UNO SCCJ faculty will be involved in developing and leading ongoing projects in the lab, including Leah Butler, Ph.D., Teresa Kulig, Ph.D., Erin Kearns, Ph.D., and Amy Anderson, Ph.D.
Join us for your graduate education!
The UNO SCCJ is one of the top graduate programs in the U.S. offering PhD, MA and MS degrees. Students in our graduate programs are taught by nationally and internationally recognized faculty members and have tremendous research opportunities. Apply today.