CU introduces new Center on Crime and Justice

KGNU’s Aramis Loma Guzman spoke with Jillian Turanovic, one of the leading figures in the Center on Crime and Justice housed within the Institute of Behavioral Science, which was recently introduced as CU’s newest research hub.  The center aims to reduce crime and improve the effectiveness and fairness of the criminal justice system by using data and research.

Turanovic arrived at CU in Jan. 2025 and was immediately shocked that, despite a great number of students studying the area, the university failed to offer an official home for the research.

“CU was already home to so much rigorous research being done on the criminal justice system, ” said Turanovic. “We had a lot of support and momentum already; we just needed a home.”

With the official announcement of the home for the research, it is clear that students will finally be able to hone their craft and further their research.

The center aims to build connections with researchers, criminal justice agencies, policymakers and community practitioners, which will provide students with various new opportunities. Turanovic has been attending conferences across the continent to find affiliates who will aid students in their research.

“We never want to be doing our work in an ivory tower disconnected from the people on the ground who can actually put research into practice,” Turanovic continued. “We see ourselves in partnerships with communities.”

Turanovic has high hopes for the new center.

“My hope is that we are treated as a resource for those who are looking to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, and to better understand how they can use data and research to improve the lives of those impacted,” said Turanovic.

An official website is currently being built, and will go live in April.

This story aired on The Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring local news and community members. Click here to listen to other episodes of The Morning Magazine.