Departing Thoughts From an NIJ Director

• NCJ Number: 181730
• Journal: National Institute of Justice Journal Dated: April 2000 Pages: 22-29
• Author(s): Jeremy Travis; Alfred Blumstein
• Date Published: April 2000
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Journal
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description

Annotation

This interview of Jeremy Travis just prior to his departure as the Director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) focuses on what NIJ has accomplished during his tenure and what he anticipates in his new work as a Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C.

Abstract

When asked about his greatest pride in his work with NIJ, he notes the establishment of NIJ's place in the world as an organization committed to science, independent research activities, and finding productive relationships between researchers and practitioners. Travis is also queried about what NIJ has done to ensure that it maintains an independent research program under changing executive administrations. He notes the legislative mandates that place sole decision making authority for NIJ with the director. Further, NIJ publications receive the scientific protections of peer review and editing to ensure that they are accessible to the field; however, the final decision to publish is reserved to the NIJ director. Regarding the possibility that the NIJ director may become an agent of a political Attorney General, Travis notes the existence of a strong NIJ professional staff that adheres to the values of independent research, as well as NIJ's network with researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and members of Congress that believe in NIJ's commitment to independent research. Other topics discussed in the interview are NIJ's contribution to research on violence, policing, and sentencing and corrections; NIJ's growing budget; funding for a long-term research agenda; connecting research to practice; the impact of research on drug policy; and NIJ's new public image. 14 notes