Driving impact through evidence‑led innovation
Our flagship initiatives spotlight the Griffith Criminology Institute’s most influential and future‑shaping research. These projects tackle critical crime and justice challenges through rigorous evidence, interdisciplinary collaboration and strong partnerships with government, industry and community. Each initiative represents our commitment to translating research into meaningful outcomes—reducing harm, informing policy, strengthening systems and helping build safer, more equitable communities.
Griffith Youth Forensic Service
Established in 2001, the Griffith Youth Forensic Service is a university-based program funded by the Queensland Government (Youth Justice), with in-kind support from Griffith University. GYFS works to reduce reoffending and the harm caused by youth sexual violence and abuse by providing specialist forensic psychological assessment and treatment services to young people across Queensland. These services are offered to youth who have been sentenced by the courts for sexual offence matters, with referrals received through Youth Justice Services statewide. As part of Griffith University’s broader commitment to addressing sexual violence and abuse, GYFS integrates research and practice to inform evidence-based interventions. Our research team has attracted more than $12 million in external grants and consultancies and produced over 100 scholarly publications, including books, chapters, peer-reviewed articles, and reports. Through this work, GYFS contributes to advancing knowledge and delivering practical solutions that make a real difference in the lives of young people and the community.
Transforming Corrections to Transform Lives Centre
The Transforming Corrections to Transform Lives (TCTL) Centre supports mothers and their children to have safe, dignified and fulfilling lives, breaking down intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and incarceration, by transforming systems and generating new knowledge for evidence-based programs. Through the Transform Lives Program, Coaches walk alongside mothers and their children, providing trauma-informed support and practical skill-building tailored to family needs. At a system level, the Transforming Corrections Hub is driving lasting change training correctional staff, building communities of practice, and convening a Systems Change Board of senior decision-makers to remove barriers and improve integrated service delivery. Underpinning all activities is a comprehensive program of research and evaluation, designed to build a rigorous evidence base for what works in empowering individual-level and system-level transformation.
Centre for Investigative Interviewing
The Centre for Investigative Interviewing is a multidisciplinary hub with the expertise and resources to improve information-gathering interviews across diverse contexts. We collaborate with organisations and academics worldwide to conduct impactful research on interviewing, interviewer training, and related fields, and translate this knowledge into practice through advice, consultation, and innovative, tailored educational resources for industry and professionals. Our work is informed by research on memory, language, culture, speech pathology, human learning, and law. Our evidence-based training solutions are developed in collaboration with leading experts in the creative and education industries. We are currently accepting PhD candidates interested in areas of improving interviewer training, memory for repeated events, and supporting adult victims of crime.
- Further information about our research, training, and consultancy services is available at investigativecentre.com
- to discuss your own or your organisation’s interviewer training needs, please contact cii.training@griffith.edu.au
- enquiries about PhD opportunities can be directed to our Director, Professor Martine Powell: martine.powell@griffith.edu.au.
Griffith Experts
We are home to globally recognised experts in crime, justice, policy and policing.
