The Center for Crime, Equity, and Justice Research and Policy brings together students and faculty with local and state leaders and experts to conduct meaningful research projects, and to produce policy recommendations related to crime, equity and justice.

Students will complete projects that enhance their liberal arts education by demonstrating how their research skills and content knowledge can be used to address crime, justice and equity issues facing Virginians.

“We want this new center to work as a bridge between talented, passionate and hard-working Christopher Newport students and faculty and the individuals and organizations that do important work on crime, equity and justice across Hampton Roads and Virginia.

There is important work happening every day in our surrounding communities and across the state, and our students and faculty can and should be contributing their expertise and passion.”

Dr. Steven Keener

Pilot Initiatives

• Building community and state-level partnerships in order to conduct applied research and evaluation projects that help organizations achieve their goals
• Developing the visibility of the center in order to make meaningful state and local policy recommendations on issues such as criminal justice reform, social justice and equity
• Creating formalized relationships with community-based and state-level organizations in order to facilitate student internship and career opportunities
• Hosting speakers on campus throughout the academic year
• Launching the first Hampton Roads Social Justice Conference in spring 2022 that will bring together researchers, policy makers, nonprofits, activists, community and business leaders, and the faith community around pressing issues of social justice in Hampton Roads.