Join WestEd’s justice and prevention researchers at the American Society of Criminology (ASC) 2025 Annual Meeting, themed “Criminology, Law, and the Democratic Ideal,” November 12–15, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC.
Be sure to add WestEd’s presentations to your conference calendar and connect with our experts to learn more about our research and evaluation work in school safety, violence prevention, and justice system reform.
WestEd Presentations
November 13, 2025
Early Investigation Into the Quality of Training for School Resource Officers
Time: 8–9:20 a.m.
Location: Liberty Salon O – M4
Session Description: This National Institute of Justice (NIJ)–funded evaluation seeks to better understand the quality and utility of NASRO training for school resource officers (SROs) and other school safety personnel. This presentation shares early findings from the study, including data from pre-post knowledge assessments and trainee surveys collected over a 1-year period. Findings describe trainee perceptions of course and instructor quality, training strengths and opportunities for improvement, knowledge growth, and plans to apply learning in the field.
Presenters: Ashley Boal (WestEd), Sarah Russo (WestEd), Justine Zimiles (WestEd), Hannah Sutherland (WestEd)
Impact of School Resource Officers and Their Training
Time: 12:30–1:50 p.m.
Location: Marquis Salon 15 – M2
Session Description: The NIJ’s early investments in studying the effect of school policing programs were synthesized in a Congressional report. Since then, the NIJ has continued to explore this complex relationship—recognizing that police presence can increase safety for some students while causing unease or trauma for others. This presentation reports on two NIJ-funded studies: one focusing on student outcomes when SROs are removed or retained and another examining the quality and perceived impact of SRO training led by the nation’s largest school police training provider.
Presenters: Trevor Fronius (WestEd), Ashley Boal (WestEd)
Roundtable: Bridging Research and Practice—Using Data and Evaluation to Strengthen Workforce Development in Reentry
Time: 2–3:20 p.m.
Location: Eastern Market – M3
Session Description: This roundtable explores how data and evaluation can strengthen workforce development programs for justice-involved individuals. Discussions will address national employment trends, regional labor market variation, evidence-based and promising practices for supporting reentry, and evaluation methodologies. The session will also consider how employment outcomes intersect with desistance processes and how workforce development can serve as a pathway toward long-term reintegration.
Chair: Ryan Spohn (University of Nebraska Omaha)
Coauthors: Katelynn Towne (University of Nebraska Omaha), Trevor Fronius (WestEd)
Discussant: Robert Vehock (Louisiana Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections)
November 15, 2025
Developing a Violence Intervention and Prevention Intercept Model
Time: 9:30–10:50 a.m.
Location: Scarlet Oak – Second Floor
Session Description: This presentation outlines the initial development phase of the Violence Intervention and Prevention Intercept Model (VIPIM)—a framework designed to evaluate community and hospital violence intervention ecosystems. Using Boston as a case study, researchers conducted a literature review, landscape analysis, and interest holder interviews to identify socioecological factors influencing violence risk and intervention responsiveness. Findings highlight critical entry points, data sources, and pathways connecting individuals at risk for violence to intervention and prevention services.
Presenter: Trevor Fronius (WestEd)
Make these WestEd sessions part of your ASC 2025 Annual Meeting experience!