The Importance of Inclusive Research

• NCJ Number: 307433
• Date Published: August 2023
• Author(s): Nancy La Vigne, Ph.D.

Annotation

This webpage summarizes a plenary at the 2023 National Research Conference of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) called “The Importance of Inclusive Research: How Engaging People Closest to the Issue Makes for Better Science and Greater Impact.”

Abstract

The National Institute of Justice’s 2023 National Research Conference included a plenary called “The Importance of Inclusive Research: How Engaging People Closest to the Issue Makes for Better Science and Greater Impact,” which outlined Director Nancy La Vigne’s vision for inclusive research and describing how engaging with those closest to the issue makes for better science and a greater impact. Plenary participants shared why efforts to include those with lived experience are critical, how they’ve participated in inclusive research, and the key principles that define inclusive research. As director of NIJ, La Vigne’s priority is to support rigorous and inclusive research that informs our efforts to promote safer communities and a more equitable justice system. That means that researchers should take the time to consult with, and learn from, those who are closest to the issue or problem they are studying.