Explore Centers & Institutes

Who we are and what we do: The New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons (NJ-STEP) initiative is an association of higher education institutions in New Jersey that works in partnership with the State of New Jersey Department of Corrections and New Jersey State Parole Board, (a) to provide higher education courses toward a college degree for students while they are incarcerated, and (b) to assist in their transition to college life upon release from prison.

The Racial Democracy, Crime and Justice Network (RDCJN) is composed of approximately 150 scholars from across the United States (and beyond). Members are diverse along a number of dimensions, including race/ethnicity, gender, academic discipline, stage of career, and focus and type of research. Collectively, the group is engaged in activities geared to exploring the implications of crime and justice processing, for citizens’ participation in a democracy. With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Network undertakes three primary activities: (1) research and publications geared to improving understanding of how race/ethnicity, crime and justice are related; (2) an annual conference that provides a context for intellectual exchange regarding on-going research, and facilitates the development and execution of collaborative projects; and (3) a three-week Crime and Justice Summer Research Institute (SRI) that facilitates the academic success of junior faculty from underrepresented groups, and assures that their perspectives and approaches on crime and justice reach relevant audiences. Through these activities, the RDCJN makes progress in advancing the study of the intersections among democracy, crime, justice and actions of citizenship, and supporting junior scholars from underrepresented (and sometimes, well-represented) groups in pursuing career advancement.

The Rutgers Accounting Research Center aims to further research and creative teaching methods in accounting and information systems. Its main emphasis is on the use of technology to support accounting teaching and decision-making. The center leads the field in research in the areas of continuous auditing, enhanced business reporting, and is constantly seeking solutions to take advantage of the real-time economy.

Our Mission: To bridge conservation biology and crime science in the study of wildlife crime.Conservation biology seeks to understand the planet’s biodiversity and protect it from further anthropogenic loss. Crime science is a prevention-focused field that draws from multiple disciplines to scientifically examine crime patterns and develop evidence-based crime reduction interventions.

The Rutgers Center for Operations Research (RUTCOR) is focused on the development of Operations Research theory and applications through scientific study and collaboration with government and industry. We develop advanced analytical methods for the optimization of complex systems to guide decision making in a wide variety of disciplines.

The core mission of the Rutgers Center on Public Security is to engage in innovative data analysis and information dissemination for strategic decision making and tactical action; To develop innovative and practical methods for research, evaluation, threat assessment, and crisis management; To improve public safety and security through scholarly inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and applied research; To coordinate discussions and consultations across academic, professional, corporate and governmental agencies.

The Rutgers Criminal and Youth Justice Clinic provides legal representation to youth incarcerated in New Jersey’s juvenile justice system; young adults charged with minor criminal offenses; and adults convicted of serious crimes as adolescents who seek post-conviction relief. The clinic also champions systemic change through legislative and regulatory advocacy, appellate advocacy, and community education initiatives.

The North Eastern corridor of the country is home to some of the world’s most prominent financial institutions. New Jersey, in particular, has some of the nation’s finest financial institutions, with many institutions moving its offices to the state. The center marshals the intellectual resources of the region in examining the relevant issues facing the industry.

The mission of the Rutgers Institute on Anti-Corruption Studies (RIACS) is to conduct research on private and public corruption and devise ways to reduce it. The institute has established a global network of associates, and these renowned researchers and practitioners build on their experience and work collaboratively with Rutgers faculty to help achieve the mission. In addition, RIACS works internationally with agencies, companies, NGOs, and nations seeking to better understand corruption and its prevention and strengthen their economic and governance infrastructure. RIACS trains graduate students to do research on corruption and applies this research to real-world conditions.