College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences announces new academic research center focused on strengthening communities nationwide

A new academic research center established in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) will work to advance criminal justice and social science research and facilitate supportive researcher-practioner partnerships in underserved communities across South Carolina and the United States.

Recently approved by the Clemson Board of Trustees, the Center for Criminal Justice and Social Research is a collaboration of Clemson University faculty affiliates, community partners and government organizations unified by a desire to foster social science research, train students and serve as resources for communities in need.

“The Center for Criminal Justice and Social Research identified a deficit in evidence-based resources for local communities and proposed a solution to fill the gap,” said Leslie Hossfeld, dean of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. “The Center serves the University’s land-grant mission through the facilitation of partnerships with local governments, law enforcement and community partners to pursue funding for criminal justice and social science research and evaluation.”

The Center for Criminal Justice and Social Research

The Center for Criminal Justice and Social Research will conduct research to advance the knowledge and understanding of social issues, train future social scientists and collaborate with government, non-profit and community organizations to evaluate programs and inform policy that positively impacts individuals and communities throughout the state and nation. 

Bryan Miller, professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, will serve as director for the Center.

“The goal of the Center for Criminal Justice and Social Research is to share our researchers’ collective knowledge and expertise with local governments, community organizations, individuals and entities who are working to improve the lives of underrepresented populations,” said Miller. “By facilitating these important researcher-practitioner partnerships, the Center will play a significant role in the College’s efforts to build people and communities on a local and national scale.”

Faculty affiliates of the Center will serve as subject matter experts to help community partners and government agencies establish frameworks for success in evaluation and research design, support for grant development, processing community-based projects and more.

The College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences is a 21st-century land-grant college joining together a unique combination of schools and departments: Communication, Nursing, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health Sciences and Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice. These areas have distinctive characteristics and missions – all joined together by a common thread of service to people and communities.