The WestEd Justice & Prevention Research Center researchers bring expertise to significant questions and issues related to justice, crime prevention, and safety for children and young adults. For example, questions and issues such as:

  • Determinants and consequences of urban gun violence and public health approaches to prevent high-risk young men from involvement in gangs and violence
  • The role police officers play in school and whether their presence may be associated with youth—partic­ularly boys of color—involvement with the formal juvenile justice system for offenses that schools normally handle internally
  • Bullying and victimization (reported and unreported)

The majority of our work involves conducting policy-relevant and methodologically sound research studies for key decision-makers, including government officials, foundation staff, faculty and researchers, and practitioners.

We typically engage with clients and stakeholders in a dynamic inquiry process to identify the most appropriate analytic methods for their needs and that produce accurate and reliable results.

With an eye toward a rigorous research and non-partisan approach, our researchers use a number of methodologies and study designs to help clients and stakeholders assess capacity and implementation, examine outcomes, and measure impact. We conduct process, implementation, and impact evaluations; systematic reviews and meta-analyses of existing studies; qualitative data analyses; quantitative analyses using secondary data sets; and scans of current practice and policy.

See our list of funders.

 

Research Projects