The University of Sydney
Justice Collaboration
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Welcome to the ninth edition of our newsletter!
The University of Sydney's Justice Collaboration aims to improve justice outcomes and to ultimately prevent crime.
The University of Sydney has numerous strengths in this area and has a track record of work across disciplines, faculties and research centres directly and indirectly relevant to justice systems and people in conflict with the law.
In this edition we highlight recent projects, exciting upcoming events and news from across the University of Sydney.
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The University of Sydney’s central campus sits on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and has campuses as well as teaching and research facilities situated on the ancestral lands of the Wangal, Deerubbin, Tharawal, Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri, Gamilaroi, Bundjulong, Wiljali and Gereng Gureng peoples. We pay our respects to elders, past, present, and emerging who have cared and continue to care for Country.
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Enhancing Family Connections for Youth Detention: A Collaborative Effort
In the second semester of 2024, students enrolled in Industry Community Project Units (ICPUs) worked closely with Cobham Youth Justice Centre staff on the project “Enhancing family engagement”, to propose innovative recommendations to help develop the relationships between youth in detention and their families, whether biological or otherwise. This initiative not only provided students with a unique learning experience but also aimed to make a tangible impact on the lives of young people in detention.
The semester included a visit to the youth detention centre, where students gained firsthand insights into the centre and its operations, and the challenges faced by the youth and the existing mechanisms for maintaining family connections. Students were grouped in eight interdisciplinary teams, comprising students from diverse disciplines such as Arts and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Business, Law, Computer Science, and Pure Mathematics. Each group focused on a specific area of interest and involved both primary and secondary data collection. The semester culminated in the presentation of eight insightful, feasible, and innovative proposals to the Cobham Youth Centre staff.
Students had an exceptional opportunity to gain awareness of the reality of youth in detention, and help contribute with ideas towards improving their conditions. This initiative showcased the power of collaboration between students, academics and Youth Justice NSW. The extent of research and thinking that went into delivering these recommendations was evident in the detailed and thoughtful final reports from each team. A summary of each is available here.
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USYD Event: Looking back - Moving Forward - Tour the former Youth Detention Centre at Haberfield
Youth Justice NSW is providing USYD students and staff with an opportunity to tour a former detention centre and to meet staff working in different parts of the youth justice system. Those attending will see the old cells at Yasmar, which was formerly the Young Women in Custody program, and learn about contemporary features of the youth justice system. This will be valuable for those looking to work in criminal justice or related fields. The tour is free and will take approximately two hours. This event is only open to USYD students and staff.
Date: Friday 16 May 2025
Time: 12-2pm or 1-3pm
Register for a free tour here.
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Researcher Highlight: Designing Trauma Informed Behavioural Interventions for Young Offenders
When presented with an opportunity to look at innovative solutions for Youth Justice NSW, as part of a Master of Innovation and Strategic Design course, Susan Morley was keen to understand if there might be a connection between young people in custody, early adverse childhood experiences, and poorly developed structural brain capability. A review of the literature revealed that most kids in custody have some form of early trauma and also inadvertently, display many of the symptoms of disrupted brain development, when viewed from this perspective. As a result, Susan–now a PhD researcher–is keen to see if the young people who frequent the NSW custodial corridors reflect this finding also. If so, to establish how we might provide more tailored early trauma informed support, to develop any missing structural brain connections that may prevent more developmentally appropriate social behaviour by young offenders.
This research is being supervised by Dr Luke Hespanhol, Research Partnerships Lead and Director of the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts at the school of Architecture, Design and Planning, Dr Garner Clancey, Associate Professor of Criminology at The University of Sydney Law School and Dr Rohan Lulham, Senior Lecturer in Design at the school of Architecture, Design and Planning. It is also being supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
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Public Event: Insights from the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies
The Justice Collaboration is excited to host the Co-Directors of the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies (MCYS). Dr Paul Gray (Co-Director) and Dr Deborah Jump (Co-Director) will talk about the work of the MCYS. Established in 2014 (by Professor Hannah Smithson), the MCYS has established itself as an internationally recognised research centre, known for its innovative methodological approaches to working with young people. MCYS has a particular focus on young people in youth justice systems and young people’s mental health.
In addition to hearing about the work of the MCYS, Dr Gray will discuss his research into violence and substance use, and Dr Jump will discuss her research focused on violence against women and girls, and young people’s mental health. This event is open to the general public.
Date: Tuesday 27 May 2025
Time: 5:30-6:30pm
You can find out more about the event and register here.
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Generation mental wealth: A new paradigm for fostering youth mental health
This program applies a Mental Wealth lens to the complex challenge of declining youth mental health, examining its implications for national prosperity and exploring new ways to secure a healthier future for young people and society.
This program flows from A/Professor Occhipinti’s transdisciplinary work on Mental Wealth - an emerging concept that takes stock of the value of our collective brain capital and social assets. Her work aims to create environments where individuals and societies thrive, where economies prosper by prioritizing well-being, and where we can address global challenges with resilience, unity, and innovation.
The grant will fund the program for the next five years. More information can be found here.
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Are We Missing Our Children? Meet Filmmaker Jane Hanckel
This thought-provoking film addresses urgent challenges facing today’s education systems – ranging from the mental health crisis to the influence of technology – and highlights innovative solutions from around the globe. Jane will share compelling excerpts from her film, featuring insights from 16 global visionaries who offer bold critiques and actionable strategies for preparing young people to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
There will also be an open Q&A. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a global conversation on reimagining education for future generations. This is an in-person event. It will be recorded and the recording posted after the event, but it will not be live streamed.
Date: Thursday 10 April 2025
Time: 5pm
Find out more and register here.
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