Justice Research Group

Photography by Andrew Campbell

Welcome

The Justice Research Group was established in July 2009 within the College of Arts at the University of Western Sydney.

Our key research focus is the courts and other justice processes and we generate multidisciplinary evidence-based research projects that address practical policy questions while engaging with a range of theoretical literatures from psychology, sociology, media studies, architecture, forensic science and law.

Our current and recent research areas include:

• Juries
• Restorative justice
• Court technologies
• Court safety and security
• Mental health tribunals

Our partners

Court of the Future Network

This multidisciplinary group of architects, engineers, psychologists, judicial officers, lawyers, criminologists and others in Australia and New Zealand who work closely with court communities to improve the quality of justice environments. Our interests include both the physical and psychological setting of courts and tribunals, and also the processes and rituals of justice. We identify emerging issues, carry out research to work out how new approaches might work in the real world for the court, and disseminate information through a series of conferences and workshops. Previously, we have run two national conferences on court architecture, security and technology and four jury research and practice conferences. We also develop research projects in consultation with court communities. 

Postgraduate study

• Prospective Students
• Scholarships

Our Staff

Professor David Tait heads up the group.  He is a criminologist and sociologist with a background in social statistics, guardianship and mental health, sentencing, jury research and urban sociology.  He currently leads four Australian Research Council-funded research projects and is a chief investigator on another.
Dr Meredith Rossner is a research fellow with expertise in experimental methods, micro-sociology and restorative justice. 
Dr Emma Rowden is a researcher with a background in media, performance and architecture. She is particularly interested in the role of the built environment in shaping experiences of inclusion, safety, comfort, fairness and respect in public institutions.
Judy Camac is the Research Program Coordinator, with responsibilities for budgets and liaison within the university. Judy has extensive experience running events and conferences, has a masters degree in History, and worked both in gallery development and education programs for the Australian War Memorial.

Location

The Justice Research Group is located on the Bankstown campus of UWS, and this website is constantly updated with information about research projects, seminars, publications, events and news. For further information about the activities of the Justice Research Group please contact the group.