NIJ puts science to work for justice system stakeholders

Abstract

NIJ puts science to work for justice system stakeholders Nancy La Vigne PhD, Director of the National Institute of Justice, shares perspectives on how the Institute advances justice across the nation and beyond, strengthening the scientific tools and discoveries that support justice system stakeholders. The National Institute of Justice’s job is to generate the science that advances justice, mostly through research grants it awards to colleges, universities, and research institutes. As Director, La Vigne manages their efforts to ensure that NIJ, firstly, invests in research that addresses today’s problems while working toward a safer future and, secondly, disseminates that research widely. Nancy La Vigne discusses how new research must engage justice system stakeholders in clear, practical terms they understand, why there is a need for research through an equity lens, and how we can put science to work for justice requires clear communication of practical applications.