Public Sector Criminological Research : The Australian Institute of Criminology, 1972–2022

This book explores the role and development of criminological research in the public sector during the last half-century. It identifies the benefits such research has provided and assesses whether the community has received value for the funds expended. The Australian Institute of Criminology is used as a case study to illustrate the challenges and pressures facing those who have sought to carry out independent crime and justice research in the public sector, to assess what fifty years of work has achieved and to determine whether or not there remains a need for criminologists to be employed by governments. The book is based on extensive archival research, administrative data analysis, interviews with current and previous staff and the perspectives of scholars in comparable institutions globally. It presents new historical information as well as current and future critical perspectives on crime and justice research in a unique Australian government organization. Foreword The Australian Institute of Criminology @ 50: From a golden age References Acknowledgements Interviewees Correspondents Contents Note on Referencing About the Author Abbreviations List of Figures List of Plates List of Tables 1 Introduction Aims The Reach of Criminological Research in the Public Sector Research Methods Ethical Considerations Theoretical and Thematic Approach Scope of the Study References 2 Public Sector Criminological Research: Objectives and Approaches The Foundations of Administrative Criminology Public Sector Criminological Research Prior to 1972 The Need for National Crime Statistics The Role of Dedicated Crime Statistics Agencies International Approaches Conclusions References 3 Cooperative Federalism Foundational Discussions Choosing a Location for an Institute The Preferred Australian Model Consultation Within Australia Development of the Legislation Legislative Reform The Criminology Research Council The Board of Management Criminology Research Advisory Council Official Opening References 4 Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place Tensions Within Public Sector Criminological Research Institutes Stakeholder Relations Ministers Other Public Sector Stakeholders Relations with Law Enforcement Constraints of Working Within Government Conclusions References 5 Balancing the Books Introduction Finance Managers Trends in Income and Expenditure Influences on the Institute’s Finances Income Considerations Fee-for-Service Work Sale of Publications Royalties Income from Training Activities Conference-Related Income Expenditure Considerations Employee Expenses Building Travel Conferences Outsourcing Conclusions References 6 Funding Criminological Research Introduction Assessing Applications for Funding Funding Provided Types of Research Funded Evaluation and Conclusions References 7 Punching Above Its Weight Seeking the Ideal Criminologist Finding a Director The Institute’s Organisational Structure The Institute’s First Permanent Director Subsequent Directors of the Institute Richard Harding Duncan Chappell Adam Graycar Toni Makkai Adam Tomison Directors Since 2015 Staffing Numbers Gender Issues Voluntary Workers Conclusions: Punching Above Its Weight References 8 Seeking Suitable Accommodation Introduction The Debate Over Centralisation The Facilities Required by a Research Institute The AICs Premises Ethos House, Civic, Canberra City Colbee Court, Phillip Marcus Clarke Street, Civic Leichhardt Street, Griffith National Circuit, Barton Home-Based Work Comparisons Within and Beyond Australia Thematic Conclusions References 9 The Digital Takeover and the JV Barry Library Establishment Collection Development The Size and Value of the Collection Networking Digitisation The Introduction of Computerised Services Library Reviews and Their Consequences The Library’s Move to 4 National Circuit Significance of the JV Barry Library References 10 Focussing on Research Introduction Managing the Research Enterprise Selecting Topics for Research Research Topics Examined Research Methodologies Statistical Analysis Forensic Research Survey Research Legal and Legislative Research Green-Fields Research Challenges in Conducting Research in the Public Sector Dealing with Confidential Information Freedom of Information and Privacy Ethics Protocols in Public Sector Research Thematic Conclusions References 11 Publish or Perish: The Challenges of Disseminating Research Introduction Dissemination of Research Findings Publications The Range of Institute Publications Online Dissemination and the Website Media Relations The Future of Communications References 12 Training, Education, Conferences and Awards Introduction: Training or Educating? Training Conferences Awards The Future of Training, Education, Conferences and Awards References 13 International Relations Introduction Relations with the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network (PNI) International Stakeholders International Conferences and Meetings International Visiting Fellows The Future of International Relations References 14 Merging Priorities Introduction Overseas Examples Proposed Merger with AGD 1982 Intelligence Agency Reviews 1974–2017 Governance Reviews, 2003–2011 Skehill Review of Small and Medium Agencies in the Attorney-General’s Portfolio 2012 National Commission of Audit 2013–14 Proposed Merger with a University AIC-ACC Proposed Merger 2015–16 Background Legislative Changes Remaining Concerns Post-Merger Existence of the AIC Independence Administration Research Conclusions References 15 Conclusions Introduction Some Achievements Some Disappointments, But Other Achievements Thematic Conclusions Public Sector Versus Academic Criminology Commonwealth Versus State and Territory Interests Quantitative Versus Qualitative Approaches Government-Friendly Versus Critical Approaches Value for Money A Future for Public Sector Criminological Research? References 16 Timelines Introduction Index