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 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. The SCCJ is also represented on the NeCVIP by Mark Foxall, Ph.D.
The Violence Intervention and Policing Research (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 (ARC) Lab in the UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is a collaborative effort 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, we aim to improve correctional policies, enhance public and institutional safety, and support the successful reintegration of incarcerated individuals into society, ultimately fostering more effective, fair, and transparent correctional systems.
ARC actively collaborates with SCCJ faculty, Nebraska Center for Justice Research (NCJR) and Juvenile Justice Institute (JJI) staff, community partners, and state and federal agencies to bridge the gap between research and practice. Our partnerships foster a multidisciplinary approach, allowing for the creation of evidence-based solutions that improve both institutional and community outcomes for state and federal departments and individuals in the justice system.
Additionally, ARC is committed to providing graduate students with hands-on training in data-driven research, specialized skills essential for understanding corrections and reentry, and valuable networking opportunities that enhance their academic and professional development. By engaging in real-world research and evaluation projects, students are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the field while shaping future policies and practices in institutional and community corrections.
We invite you to explore our website for information on our team, the latest news and information on our current projects, recent publications, and more.
Affiliated partnerships
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. The SCCJ's Erin Kearns, Ph.D. and Austin Doctor, Ph.D. both have appointments in NCITE and lead terrorism research initiatives.
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 unparalleled research opportunities. Apply today.
Inquiries about Graduate Research Assistantship opportunities for UNO SCCJ students may be directed to Dr. Samantha Clinkinbeard, Doctoral Program Coordinator.