Elevating lived experience to lived expertise in criminological research

• In Event: DCS Handbook on Lived Experience: Exploring the Possibilities of Lived Experience

Abstract

"This presentation advocates for an evolution in corrections research, shifting focus from merely including lived experiences to emphasizing lived expertise. While personal narratives offer valuable insights into the criminal legal system, they often lack the theoretical and
methodological rigor required for academic scholarship. Moving from anecdotal testimony to evidence-based analysis requires a paradigm shift that includes rigorous academic training, new methods, and deep self-reflection. Academic training should leverage lived experience as a foundation for scholarly development, providing mentorship and resources to attain advanced research skills. To make sure that the research is rigorous and real, methodological innovation needs participatory action research, in which people who are affected by the system are both subjects and creators of knowledge. Critical self-reflection requires those interacting with the formerly impacted to recognize their biases and contribute insights that challenge stereotypes. This three-pronged approach empowers individuals and enriches criminological research with diverse perspectives, fostering studies that demonstrate lived expertise. By transitioning from lived experience to lived expertise, we can produce impactful research, paving the way for a more just and equitable criminal justice system. This presentation will define lived expertise, examine limitations of lived experience, showcase its transformative power, and propose strategies to foster it, ultimately advocating for research that can drive meaningful change.
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Author

• Helen Skipper, John Jay College of Criminal Justice