PPA President Dr. Paul Elam participated in a roundtable at the 73rd annual American Society of Criminology
Dr. Elam presented on the under-utilization of research evidence in criminal justice policy programs and practice. “There remains a large gap between research and policy and practice,” said Dr. Elam. “Despite the recognized value of evidence-based interventions.”
The presentation offered explanations for this gap, ways to increase use of research and suggestions for additional research. He offered solutions to bridge the gap by increasing communication and collaboration among academics, public policy researchers and evaluators, policymakers, and practitioners.
The American Society of Criminology is an international organization whose members pursue scholarly, scientific, and professional knowledge concerning the measurement, etiology, consequences, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency.
The theme for this year’s meeting was Crime, Legitimacy and Reform: Fifty Years after the President’s Commission. Attendees included students, practitioners, and academicians from various fields in criminal justice and criminology.
Dr. Elam’s own work is focused largely on juvenile justice, and he incorporates racial equity into all his work. He works with the Governor’s Committee on Juvenile Justice, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and local jurisdictions to ensure that justice-involved youth are treated fairly and equitably. To find out more about PPA’s work in juvenile justice, contact Dr. Elam at 517-485-4477 or pelam@publicpolicy.com.