Native American Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship

The issue of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women is an important public health and criminal justice issue that has received attention in recent years due to specific provisions in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The goal of this fellowship will be to build and extend the work completed to date on NIJ's Violence Against Indian Women program of research. Dr. Alison Brooks will consult and provide continuing guidance on the implementation of the National Baseline Study. This will include continuing to work with NIJ staff on formulating the best sampling plan and refinement of the survey instrument, based in part on feedback received by researchers in the field and members of the Section 904 Federal Advisory Task Force. Additionally, she will examine the state response to crimes against Indian women in Indian Country, assist in the development of an evaluation assessment and research plan for the Tribal Special U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) program, and will assist in other efforts as needed to further the development and implementation of NIJ's program of research. Dr. Brooks will disseminate information on both NIJs program of research and the specific research activities completed through this fellowship. These dissemination activities will include presentations at professional conferences as well as at tribal stakeholder meetings. She will also generate both peer-reviewed and technical publications. ca/ncf