Community-Based Research and Criminal Justice: Integrating a Community Psychology Perspective

• In Event: Roundtable: Policies, Practices, and Prevention

Abstract

Criminal justice researchers frequently involve community stakeholders in research and evaluation activities. During this roundtable Hannah Feeney and Valerie Anderson will facilitate a discussion based on their experiences as community psychologists engaged in criminal justice research. In particular, they will advocate for integrating a community psychology perspective to advance community-based criminal justice scholarship (e.g., embracing multiple types of community-based research methods, developing collaborative and participatory projects) and the importance of addressing complex social issues with a contextual and social justice emphasis. Hannah Feeney’s research interests focus on the criminal justice system response to survivors of sexual violence and how these systems may be improved through community-based research. Valerie Anderson’s research examines how the juvenile justice system responds to the experiences and needs of girls through gender-responsive intervention. Their discussion will center on the strengths, challenges, tensions, and ethics of engaging in community-based criminal justice scholarship from a community psychology perspective.

Authors

• Hannah Feeney, Michigan State University

• Valerie Rose Anderson, University of Cincinnati