The UNO SCCJ is involved in over $11 million of research partnerships funded through the National Institute of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Justice Assistance and state agency contracts. Students are frequently funded on these projects learning through collaborative mentorship with faculty and senior students. Findings are disseminated in academic journals (preprints for some articles available on CrimRXiv), presented at national conferences, and provided to stakeholder agencies or legislative bodies.

SCCJ Research Labs and Partnerships

The Victimology and Victim Studies Research Lab (VVSRL) is a faculty-student research team focused on crime victims and crime victimization with projects led by Tara Richards, Ph.D., Teresa Kulig, Ph.D., and Lane Gillespie, Ph.D.

The Violence Intervention and Policing Research Lab (VIPR) focuses on Policing,Terrorism and Targeted Violence, directed by Justin Nix, Ph.D., Erin Kearns, Ph.D., Sadaf Hashimi, Ph.D., and Travis Carter, Ph.D.

The Advancing Research in Corrections Lab (ARC) is dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding in the fields of institutional corrections, community corrections, and reentry. By leveraging criminological theory alongside rigorous research, assessment, and evaluation, lab members aim to improve correctional policies. The ARC Lab is lead by co-Directors Dr. Zach Hamilton and Dr. Jenn Tostlebe.

The Criminological Research on Counterterrorism and Security Lab (CROCS) is a collaborative team of criminologists passionate about research and its application for counterterrorism efforts directed by Austin Doctor, Ph.D., and Erin Kearns, Ph.D.

Affiliated partnerships

The Nebraska Collaborative for Violence Intervention and Prevention (NeCVIP) is a UNO SCCJ collaboration with UNMC College of Medicine focused on community violence intervention and prevention, specifically reducing gun violence and supporting victims of violent injury including the operation of ENCOMPASS, a hospital-based violence intervention program. This collaborative is co-directed by Gaylene Armstrong, Ph.D. and trauma surgeon Charity Evans, MD, UNMC. SCCJ faculty Mark Foxall, Ph.D., is also a member of the NeCVIP.

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 Austin Doctor, Ph.D., focus their research in this area of expertise. Learn more about ongoing projects.

The Nebraska Center for Justice Research (NCJR) is a legislatively funded research center in the UNO SCCJ. The team is composed of multidisciplinary criminology experts that specialize in the areas of corrections, reentry, and risk/needs assessment development. The mission of the NCJR is to develop and sustain research capacity internal to the State of Nebraska, assist the Legislature in research, evaluation, and policymaking to reduce recidivism, promote the use of evidence-based practices in corrections, and improve public safety. The NCJR is led by Director Ryan Spohn, Ph.D.

The Juvenile Justice Institute (JJI) is a research institute in the SCCJ that provides technical assistance and completes policy and program evaluations for state and local agencies, as well as private organizations. The JJI has evolved into a state and national leader of juvenile justice applied research, professional development, and policy work, and is led by Director Kristan Russell, Ph.D.

Join us for your graduate education!

The UNO SCCJ is a top ranked graduate program that offering PhD, MA and MS degrees. Students in our graduate programs are taught by nationally-recognized, award-winning faculty who provide unparalled research opportunities. Apply today.