Faculty / Student Research
The UNO SCCJ faculty are conducting important scientific research in criminology and criminal justice supported by over $7.5 million in grant funding. Federal agency partnerships include the National Institute of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Justice Assistance as well as local or state agencies. Students work closely with faculty on many of these projects gaining hands on research experience.
Research findings are published peer reviewed academic journals (available preprints for some articles avaialble on CrimRXiv).
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 and support victims of violent injury. Research and evaluation projects seek solutions of gun violence prevention, intervention, and enforcement among youth and adults including the operation of ENCOMPASS, a hospital-based violence intervention program. The Collaborative is co-directed by Gaylene Armstrong, Ph.D. (UNO SCCJ) and trauma surgeon Charity Evans, MD, UNMC and includes Mark Foxall, Ph.D.
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 Gina Ligon, Ph.D. including more than 50 researchers from 18 academic institutions working on 10 focused projects. SCCJ's Erin Kearns, Ph.D., 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., Justin Nix, 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.