Just Science Podcast

In this special release episode, Just Science sat down with Kristin Henning, Director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic and Initiative at Georgetown Law and Author of The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth, to discuss the biases that exist in the American criminal legal system, which disproportionally and negatively impact teenagers of color.

Decades of developmental psychology research supports that adolescence is a period marked by risk-taking behaviors, experimentation, and susceptibility to peer influence. While these features of adolescence are normal for all teenagers, teenagers of color are disproportionately punished by the American criminal legal system for behaviors that are developmentally appropriate. Listen along as Professor Henning describes what typical adolescent behavior looks like, the depiction of adolescence and race in the media, and the movement to better inform criminal legal system practitioners about this unique developmental period.

This episode is funded by RTI International’s Transformative Research Unit for Equity and the Justice Practice Area.

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In this special release episode, Just Science sat down with Patricia Powers, an attorney advisor with AEquitas, to discuss her experience working on the Enhancing Conviction Integrity through Forensics training series, as a part of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. 

The Enhancing Conviction Integrity through Forensics training series aims to identify and develop resources that help prosecutors and other professionals effectively prepare sexual assault cases for trial and bring a victim’s voice to the courtroom. Specifically, utilizing forensic technology and forensic evidence can be important for advancing justice in a sexual assault case. Listen along as Patti describes some of the innovative tools that have been developed through this training series, her experience taking a multidisciplinary approach to training, and the importance of trauma-informed trial preparation. 

This episode is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (Grant No. 2019-MU-BX-K011). This project was supported by Grant No. 2019-MU-BX-K011 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Human trafficking has far-reaching consequences that not only impact individuals but also families and entire communities. As a result, combatting human trafficking demands a comprehensive and collaborative approach which may span multiple disciplines. Many questions still remain about the most effective ways to prevent and respond to human trafficking. To help address this need, RTI’s Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (HTPRAP), conducted in partnership with the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation and the Office on Trafficking in Persons, aims to advance the scope of knowledge and data around human trafficking by identifying priority areas for learning and conducting a series of studies that can immediately impact practice. This season, we sit down with many HTPRAP contributors to learn about the successes, challenges, and future work of human trafficking research. 

This season is funded by the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (Contract Number: HHSP233201500039I). 

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Trauma-informed care extends beyond mental health services to various other sectors such as corrections, homeless services, child welfare, and schools. It can also be applied in the field of research, guiding decision-making and organizational structure which benefits both participants and researchers. A trauma-informed approach should be prioritized in research projects to address the impact of traumatic stress on mental and physical health. This involves creating safe environments and setting up study procedures that seek to avoid re-traumatizing participants. Just Science explores how experts apply this approach throughout the research process from project management to data collection and dissemination, revolutionizing organizations and promoting safety and support for all. 

This season is funded by the RTI International Justice Practice Area.

Listen to all podcast episodes here: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Spotify, & Google Podcasts!