Advancing Science — Newsletter from the NIJ Director

I’m pleased to share that NIJ Journal Issue 285: Domestic Radicalization, Violent Extremism, and Terrorism is now available, representing a tremendous effort among subject matter experts at NIJ and beyond.

This issue underscores the necessity of cross-collaborative research teams to advance our understanding of ways to prevent and respond to rare violent incidents.

NIJ JOURNAL ISSUE 285

A friendly reminder that registration is open for NIJ’s 2024 National Research Conference taking place September 16–18 in Pittsburgh, PA. Reserve your spot before we reach capacity!

Our full conference agenda of speaking sessions, panels, and presentations will be posted soon, so be sure to keep an eye out for what we have planned this year. I look forward to seeing you there!

REGISTER

This Monday, June 17, at 1 p.m. ET, I’ll join the Niskanen Center for the conversation “Does Evidence Matter in Policy Making?” (It certainly does!). This discussion will be informed by Vital City’s latest issue “Does Evidence Matter?”, which explores the value of evidence-based research and data in informing safety and justice policymaking.

Registration is open to all, so please join us for this important discussion!

REGISTER

Did you know that only ~60% of body armor submitted for testing passes NIJ’s rigorous standards? I’m so proud that NIJ has such an essential role in promoting officer safety through ensuring the integrity of body armor equipment. Last week I moderated a congressional briefing highlighting NIJ’s body armor standards and testing program, as well as the release of our 2023 updated body armor standards.

Relatedly, check out my video interview with Dr. Mark Greene, Director of NIJ’s Office of Technology and Standards, on the release of the new standards, along with OJP’s recently published a new resource “Protecting our protectors: The importance of body armor.”

June 27 marks National PTSD Awareness Day, which touches many facets of NIJ’s work. PTSD affects people in crisis, survivors of violence or abuse, those involved in police encounters, individuals in correctional confinement, and criminal justice professionals experiencing trauma exposure over their careers.

Here are a few recent NIJ resources that demonstrate some of the ways we’re working to understand and address PTSD for those involved and working in the justice system:

• The Roles of Trauma and Mental Health in Preventing Domestic Radicalization and Violent Extremism
• Transforming Correctional Culture and Climate
• Research on the Mounting Problem of Correctional Officer Stress