making the most out of researcher-practitioner partnerships and collaborative working groups

© 2012 Michigan State University

Making the Most Out ofResearcher-Practitioner Partnerships

and Collaborative Working Groups

Jeremy M. WilsonSchool of Criminal Justice

[email protected] 17, 2012

mailto:[email protected]

© 2012 Michigan State University Wilson- 2

Agenda

• Evolution of problem-solving working groups

• Challenges with and lessons for facilitating large working groups

• Identifying and overcoming inherent tensions in researcher-practitioner partnerships


Agenda





Problem-Solving has Been Shown to be an Effective Way to Reduce Crime

• Problem-solving is a systematic way to improve community conditions by grouping common incidents so that the underlying factors that create them can be understood and addressed

• Scientific studies have demonstrated its success in reducing various types of crime and violence in various communities

• The key to success is implementation


Problem-Solving is a Systematic Process

Scanning

Assessment Analysis

Response

SARA and the Crime Triangle

Source: Center for Problem-Oriented Policing


The “Boston Miracle”• Diverse working group diagnosed the problem of

youth firearm homicides as patterned hostility among highly active offenders, particularly among loosely knitted gangs

• Designed strategy to deter gang violence by reaching out to gangs, retailing the message that violence will no longer be tolerated, offering gang members services and help, and reinforcing message with “lever pulling” when violence occurred

• The approach demonstrated success, thereby leading to replications (but questions about sustainability have emerged)


Strategic Approach to CommunitySafety Initiative (SACSI)

• Building on “The Boston Miracle”, the US DOJ began piloting in 10 cities a nationally-driven but locally run initiative led by US Attorneys

• Problems vary by city, ranging from gun violence to community fear to sexual assault

• Involves 5-steps:– Form an interagency working group– Gather data about a local crime problem– Design a strategic intervention– Implement the intervention– Assess and modify the strategy as the data

reveal effects


Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)

• SACSI was then rolled out nationally– Led by US Attorneys, PSN involves convening a

working group of stakeholders to reduce gun violence through data-driven federal prosecution and community intervention

• Since 2001, approximately $2B has been invested

• Success varies by district

But many collaborative working groups exist


Agenda





Some Working Groups Experience Challenges in Regard to Staffing…

• Turnover of working group members

• Indecision of working group

• Inertia and reluctance for action

• Politics inhibit cooperation and agreeing on responsibility


…Planning and Analysis…

• No strategic and specific plan

• Process not data-driven

• Limited communication


…And Limited Resources

• Not enough funding

• Staff have too little time


Collaborative, Problem-solving Requires Planning and Resources…

• Commitment to a process that is data-driven and focused

• Greater planning– Development of a strategic plan that builds

upon and integrates existing resources– Process for selecting projects and allocating

funds– Working group composition

• Adequate resources to support the plan


…And the “Right” People With a Commitment to Sustainability

• Effective leader and researcher with adequate time to devote

• Build legitimacy with the community (e.g., through working groups members, partners, and outreach)

• Identifying the “right” participants

• Long-term sustainability and willingness to learn from mistakes

• Presence of a true collaboration that involves trust and accountability

• True dedication


Agenda





Inherent Tensions Exist in Relation to Objectives and Desire for Implementation

Attribute Practitioners Researchers

Goal/IncentivesProblem-solve/Make

decisionScientific development

Orientation Applied Theoretical

Timeline Shorter Longer

Implementation fidelity Variable Consistent

Dosage Low/Diffused High/Focused

See Lane, Turner, and Flores (2004)


Inherent Tensions Exist in Relation to Data


Collection purpose Reporting Analysis

Collection priority Low High

Form valued Anecdotes/Cases Quantitative/Aggregate

Concern Vulnerability/Workload Validity/Reliability

Sharing Limited Open

Perceived collection responsibility

ResearchersPractitioners/Researchers



Inherent Tensions Exist in Relation to Feedback and Deliverables


Progress updates Frequent Infrequent

Feedback for executives

Specificity in program elements

Generality in program elements

Feedback for program change

Constantly revise program

Change program after assessment

Reporting of results Earlier/Frequent Later/Infrequent

Products Reports/Briefings Journal articles



Additional Tensions are Present When a Client is Involved, Especially If a Partner


Resources Fewer Greater

Mission creep Substantial Limited

Publication rightsReserved/Right to

reviewUnlimited



How Can Tensions be Overcome?

Compatibility

Communication

Trust

Respect

Compromise

Relationship Building



Helpful Resources

© 2012 Michigan State University

Thank you!

For more information, contact

Jeremy M. WilsonSchool of Criminal Justice

[email protected](517)353-9474

mailto:[email protected]

making the most out of researcher-practitioner partnerships and collaborative working groups

Education

large working groups

working groups members

interagency working

inherent tensions

crime problemsolving

strategic plan

strategic intervention

gang violence