A new PNAS special feature examines how segregation shapes environmental risks and benefits in cities, including access to water, safety from floods, and exposure to extreme heat. The authors argue that understanding segregation as a social-ecological system can help break cycles and build more equitable cities.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia examine how heat and daylight patterns transform urban life, highlighting unequal impacts on social groups. They emphasize the need for urban planning to consider bodily and temporal perspectives, integrating social justice considerations into climate adaptation efforts.
A new study by UCL researchers found that mothers with care proceedings in England are 21 times more likely to die within 10 years compared to other mothers. The study analyzed data from NHS hospitals and family court records, revealing a starkly higher risk of maternal mortality among mothers who experienced care proceedings.
Two studies by Rutgers University professor Colleen Berryessa explore how expressions of remorse are interpreted in the legal system, finding that it can lead to serious inequities in legal outcomes. The research highlights the need for greater awareness and education within the legal system to better understand how remorse is assessed.
Multicultural intergroup dialogue improves holistic support for international students at Japanese universities. The approach, based on Intergroup Dialogue, promotes equitable and inclusive university environments, where students from diverse backgrounds interact and learn with one another.
Research on Philippine jails reveals the everyday human cost of overcrowding, including sensory overload from poor ventilation, heat, and smell. The study calls for sensorially attuned penal reform to address the full spectrum of carceral harm.
The study examines California's Racial Justice Act implementation and impact on racial justice access for criminal defendants. The research team, led by UC Irvine Chancellor's Professor Mona Lynch, will investigate the act's effectiveness across diverse jurisdictions, with a focus on under-resourced areas.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that virtual jurors are just as attentive and engaged as those in a traditional courtroom setting. The research, which compared online and in-person mock juries, revealed few significant differences between the two formats.
Researchers at UC3M have received grants from the Ramón Areces Foundation to develop projects using AI, digitization, and chronotope mapping in archaeology, history, and cinema. The projects aim to advance knowledge of the Castilian Middle Ages and the Spanish film industry.
A recent study suggests that two in five Australians who experienced workplace sexual harassment did not report it. Researchers argue that fear of retaliation, lack of trust in the system and feelings of powerlessness are major barriers to reporting. Despite legal reforms, most people still feel uncomfortable coming forward.
New research shows that vulnerable populations in the US are exposed to a larger number and higher intensity of environmental burdens. The study found strong relationships between concentrated environmental burdens and vulnerable communities, with communities of color and those with limited English fluency facing the greatest risks.
A new study by VCU researchers found that almost all participants perceived a suspect as being in custody after only a short period of time, even though they had not been formally arrested. The research used virtual reality headsets to examine how people perceive police custody from 'inside' the interrogation room.
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded an €8.33 million Synergy Grant to a five-year project led by Professors Jun Borras, Esteve Corbera, Ian Scoones, and Anna Tsing. The 'Land and Life in the Anthropocene' project aims to reshape landscapes for more-than-human life through innovative framework and connected approaches.
A new survey by University of California, Irvine professor Nicholas Scurich found that 65% of Missouri voters believe Governor Mike Kehoe should commute Shockley's death sentence to life imprisonment. The survey revealed strong bipartisan support for clemency across all political affiliations.
Researchers found that automated text message reminders significantly reduced bench warrants and pretrial incarceration rates. The study used software sent to clients of public defenders in California, resulting in a 20-21% decrease in missed court dates.
The use of AI in the criminal justice system raises concerns about fairness and transparency. Researchers advise for clear understanding of data used and procedure by judges to use guidance from AI systems. Explainable AI systems may help, but transparency doesn't have to mean understanding computer code.
The study found that commonly used mental health screening tools may not be reliable for everyone, particularly African American youth. Research highlights the need for improved assessments that are both psychometrically sound and culturally responsive to protect vulnerable youth in the juvenile justice system.
A new study published in the American Sociological Review finds that framing modern social issues as attacks on civil rights decreases public support for government action. The researchers surveyed 7,500 California voters and found that civil rights framing was counterproductive across issues and beneficiaries, including Black people.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that low-to-medium-income countries can benefit from investing in renewable energy while reducing emissions and income inequality. The research team examined connections between climate impacts, mitigation strategies and social justice considerations.
The Annual Antisemitism Worldwide Report found that despite a decline in the antisemitic wave after the war, levels remained significantly higher than before. Countries such as Australia, Italy, and Canada reported record-high numbers of incidents, with notable increases in physical assaults in France.
A Northwestern University study found that justice-involved youth with higher doses of incarceration had poorer outcomes, including lower education and employment rates. The study suggests that early interventions are crucial to reducing recidivism and promoting positive outcomes for these young individuals.
Police reports of hate crimes in 42 major US cities declined 2.7% in 2024, with anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate crimes rising 12% and 18%, respectively. Anti-Jewish hate crimes reached record levels in several cities, while anti-Asian hate crimes fell more than 14%. The upward trend is attributed to the timing of the Israel-Gaza war.
A new report by Michigan State University and Michigan Public Health Institute found that shootings in Lansing fell after the implementation of a prevention program, with some variations between years and communities. The Advance Peace Lansing program employs fellows to engage with individuals affected by gun violence.
A study by Prof. Dr. Heinz Welsch found that countries with higher per-capita income and emissions levels pursue more ambitious climate targets, but their populations are less willing to contribute to climate change mitigation. The study also found a correlation between the discrepancy and lower satisfaction with democracy.
The 'equity by design' framework proposed by Daryl Lim aims to maximize AI benefits while minimizing harm, particularly for underrepresented individuals. The approach embeds equity principles throughout the AI lifecycle, addressing biases and increasing inequality.
A new framework by former NIJ director Nancy La Vigne aims to improve the effectiveness of social programs through deliberate implementation and adaptation to local contexts. The Titanium Law of Evaluation emphasizes the importance of both implementation fidelity and local context in evaluating criminal justice interventions.
Researchers studied participants' perceptions of ten different accents and found a strong link between perceived social status and likelihood of committing crimes. The study suggests that accent stereotypes could have serious implications in the criminal justice system.
A new study challenges previous claims on false memory implantation, finding that few participants recalled entirely fabricated details. Many were unsure about suggested events, rendering their testimony potentially unreliable in court.
A study analyzed police data in Atlantic City, NJ before and after the start of the pandemic, finding a temporary reduction in dispatched calls for mental health services. Police-initiated contact also decreased slightly after restrictions began, but no long-term trend was found.
A nationwide survey of law enforcement agencies found significant variations in co-responder teams' characteristics, operations, and perceived effectiveness. The study aims to inform evidence-based guidelines and protocols for these initiatives.
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
A new law change proposal aims to provide families of missing persons with an opportunity for closure through burial, rather than cremation. The proposal, backed by expert research, would require DNA sampling before burial to confirm identity and enable family members to make decisions about the body.
The study discovered stark differences in browsing habits between countries with more education and gender equality versus less equality, with those in equal countries engaging in a 'busybody' style of information-seeking characterized by jumping from topic to topic and collecting loosely connected information. In contrast, those in un...
A new study highlights the emergence of 'just transition litigation', challenging climate policies and projects that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. The phenomenon emphasizes the need for balancing climate action with social justice considerations, particularly for Indigenous Peoples, workers, and local residents.
The article provides an orientation to using implementation science in policing by integrating effective and evidence-based innovations into routine practices. Researchers offer agendas for integrating IS into EBP, highlighting the importance of metrics to assess police practice outcomes.
A study found that ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft mitigate the impact of driver racial discrimination on wait times, but systemic segregation persists. The research estimated that at least 3% of drivers must be discriminating based on race to produce cancellation disparities.
Experts propose incorporating joint criminal enterprise into the ICC Statute to hold high-ranking military officers and politicians accountable for collective criminal responsibility. The proposed change aims to ensure victims receive restorative justice and deter future mass atrocities.
A study found that health and physical education teachers face challenges in assessing Japanese language learners' learning outcomes. To promote inclusive education, national guidelines are needed to establish clear teaching plans and grading methods.
A recent study from the University of Illinois suggests that Illinois' clean energy transition has led to a lack of equity in the distribution of renewable power benefits. The state prioritized historically marginalized communities but failed to consider the burdens on rural, white communities, resulting in perceived injustices and opp...
A new study from Edith Cowan University reveals that having a justice facility dog at Children's Court significantly reduces stress and anxiety for young victims, witnesses, and caregivers. Dr Suz Rock and Associate Professor Natalie Gately found that interacting with the dog reduced self-reported anxiety and stress levels.
A recent study by Drexel University found that New Jersey's cash bail reform law successfully reduced the state's jail population without increasing gun violence. The research team analyzed data from 36 states and controlled for factors such as gun law restrictions, rates of gun ownership, and state senate majority partisanship.
A recent study by researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) found that female judges tend to hand down longer sentences in cases involving sexual abuse and assault. The study analyzed over 2,200 cases and concluded that the sex of the presiding judge has a significant impact on sentence length.
A study published in the Social Psychological Bulletin found that people who take revenge are morally condemned, but those who experience pleasure from doing so may be viewed as immoral. The researchers also discovered that when participants imagined themselves taking revenge, they perceived themselves as less moral than others.
A new study found that sibling criminal legal system contact disrupts home life for siblings and families, leading to increased behavioral issues in children, financial and material hardship for parents, and lower levels of social support. The study suggests that mass criminalization imperils families and children.
A WVU researcher is studying newly released records of private communications between U.S. Supreme Court justices to learn how they interact and relate behind the scenes. The data, donated by Justice John Paul Stevens, may reveal insights into the collegiality between justices and their interactions on landmark cases.
A new study published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A reveals that Supreme Court decisions are significantly shaped by interactions within the court. The researchers found that justices' decisions result from a complex process of negotiation and influence, rather than personal views or ideological leanings.
SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 19, 2024
West Virginia University researchers introduced a new database showing occupational licensing's impact on the workforce, highlighting how licenses increase cost and time to enter professions, affecting consumers. The database encompasses 50 jobs across all 50 states, providing insights into licensing standards, fees, and requirements.
A new study examines perceptions of US veterans treatment court team members regarding the program's viability and longevity. The researchers found that team members believe VTCs will continue to exist and expand, but face challenges in securing stable funding sources and maintaining buy-in from key individuals.
Researchers analyzed the criminal careers of over 9,800 Italian mafia members and found that prior violent co-offending significantly increases the likelihood of future violent offenses. The study suggests that group-based violent actions have a stronger impact on future violence than solo violence.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona finds that big oil companies are relentless in expanding their extractive operations, deploying new technologies and seeking favorable locations. This leads to significant social and environmental costs, with local communities fighting against extraction activities.
The Guantanamo Bay detention camp has held hundreds of individuals suspected of terrorism without charge or trial for up to 22 years. International human rights organizations have widely condemned the conditions, leading to calls for its closure. The facility's legacy highlights the need to balance security with human rights and dignity.
Researchers examine how police communicate with communities, highlighting challenges of accommodation and its impact on trust. Effective communication is crucial to improving police-community relations, but police leaders often face difficult decisions that can alienate one group while appeasing another.
A new study from the University of Texas at El Paso found that incarcerated women are disproportionately punished for minor infractions like defiance. Women were 40% more likely to receive defiance infractions and accrue them faster than men.
A world-first report found that alternative reporting options could help increase the number of women who report sexual assaults to police. Trauma-informed interviews designed in line with best-practice techniques can improve outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual assault who use them.
A study by Colorado State University found that redlined communities experience higher maximum noise levels, detrimental effects on urban ecosystems, and increased human health risks like hearing loss and stress. The research highlights the need for equitable planning and noise mitigation to benefit both people and wildlife.
A new study by researchers at UC Irvine and the University of Arizona found no consistent relation between COVID-19-related jail decarceration and violent or property crime in California. The study suggests that downsizing, on average, did not drive crime increases statewide, but notes limitations such as a short measurement period.
A new study has found that forensic fibers can survive underwater for several weeks, contradicting previous beliefs. This discovery could significantly aid in investigations, as police may now be able to search for fibre evidence even after extended exposure times.
A new ecological theory may help explain the persistence of segregation in US cities. The theory, called the 'adaptive resilience cycle,' emphasizes how systems adjust to shocks and retain their structure. Researchers analyzed Baltimore's history and found that this cycle has reinforced segregation throughout the city's history.
A research team led by University of Minnesota Medical School assistant professor Michele Statz aims to improve access to civil justice for rural and Indigenous communities in Alaska. The project, funded with a $1 million grant, will develop a model to replicate in other communities across the country.
The Resilience Justice Project at Brandeis School of Law will examine how eight US coastal cities ensure climate adaptation plans are fair and equitable. The team aims to produce a guidebook of best practices and webinars to help cities adapt planning for all neighborhoods.