Wow - long time no post! It’s hard to believe that the 2024 NIJ National Research Conference concluded a full week ago. Apologies to all of you out there who were unable to attend (and were undoubtedly experiencing major FOMO 😉) for not posting updates earlier! I have much to share, but need to break the info up into a few separate posts over the next few days else it's too much to digest.
In the meantime I’ve shared a sampling of pics in this post to give you a sense of the vibe, and promise more details in the coming days. Because, no exaggeration: This conference had SO much great content - a true embarrassment of riches! With 4 plenaries, 42 panels (including lightning rounds on emerging research topics and new methodologies), a poster session featuring 50 studies - 58% by students - a room full of exhibitors, over 600 attendees (including two dozen students receiving travel scholarships), there was a wealth of information and engagement!
I want to thank all of the panelists, poster presenters, exhibitors and attendees for making the conference such a resounding success. And I especially want to lift up NIJ staff for the exceptional job they did in bringing the conference to fruition, in close partnership with SaxmanOne ( A Cape Fox Company ), our conference contractor. So many NIJ staff had essential roles to play in pulling the conference off – from behind-the-scenes logistics, to social media and web advertising, to the planning of the content of panels and plenaries, to onsite leadership and support – and everything in between! They demonstrated tremendous pride in and commitment to NIJ and our work, and were deeply engaged with and welcoming partners to attendees – from presenters and grantees to students and fellow DOJ colleagues. I could go on, but no number of words can express the extent of my pride and gratitude. It’s a true blessing to serve as director of such a fine and impactful institution.
More to follow!
Featured here from top left, clockwise: Dawnie Steadman of University of Tennessee, Knoxville along w/ her pup Dondo 🐶; NIJ's Dr. Angela Moore; Jocelyn Fontaine of Urban Institute and the Black & Brown Collective for Community Solutions to Gun Violence w/ me; Maureen Q. McGough, ED of Excellence in Policing and Public Safety Program at University of South Carolina and co-founder of the 30x30 Initiative; Ivonne Roman co-founder of the 30x30 Initiative, ret'd Chief of Newark Police Department, and board member of The American Society of Evidence-Based Policing; me; Shon F. Barnes PhD, Chief of Madison PD; Jeremiah Johnson, Deputy Comm, NYC DOC; Christian Peterson, Data Research Manager w/ Portland Police Bureau; Prof Justin Nix w/ University of Nebraska at Omaha; me w/ poster presenter.
Technologist, Entrepreneur, Investor, Innovation Enthusiast
2moI'm excited to have such a great panel of judges for this year's Challenge. This year is going to be a great crowd of top cyber venture firms, CISOs, and other cyber executives.