The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is home to several research centers and initiatives that are actively engaged in shaping criminal justice policies and programs that advance justice.
Research Centers
The mission of the Institute on Race and Justice (IRJ) is to utilize strategic social science research methodologies to assist government agencies, educational institutions, and community stakeholders in the development of policy changes to advance the cause of social justice. The Violence and Justice Research Laboratory (VJRL) is a branch within IRJ that supports and promotes research in the areas of violence and victimization, its impact and consequences, and the role of the justice system in addressing these issues.
Institute of Security and Public Policy
The mission of the Institute of Security and Public Policy (ISPP) is to develop and promote new approaches and capabilities to security and global governance through knowledge creation, knowledge management, and multilateral cooperation.
Research Initiatives
Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study
The Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study (CSYS) is a delinquency prevention experiment embedded in a prospective longitudinal survey of the development of offending.
International Self-Report Delinquency Study
The International Self-Report Delinquency Project (ISRD) is an ongoing research study of delinquency and victimization among youth, using standardized instruments and data collection procedures. The primary focus has been on Europe, but the ISRD project now includes a number of non-European countries (e.g., Brazil, China, Cape Verde, Venezuela).