New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center

The New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center (NMSAC) is directed by Dr. Lisa Broidy. NMSAC is located at the Institute for Social Research. The Center conducts basic and applied science research concerning:

  • the causes of crime
  • the relationship between crime and other social concerns
  • the efforts of the criminal justice system and other social institutions to control crime through prevention and intervention activities

 

NMSAC's goal is to engage scholars, practitioners, and policy makers in dialogue about crime and its control.

NMSAC is the Statistical Analysis Center for the State of New Mexico. Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) are units of the state government that use operational, management, and research information for all components of the criminal justice system to conduct objective analysis of statewide and system-wide policies and issues. Research is generally developed and implemented in partnership with local and state agencies. SACs also collaborate in multi-state analysis of broad national criminal justice issues.

Currently, fifty-two States and US Territories house an SAC. SACs vary in their placement within the state's governmental structure; some are part of a crimincal justice, general planning, or coordindating agency, while others are part of a governor's advisory staff. Some are even located in a line agency such as the state police, attorney general's office, or a department of corrections. Several, like NMSAC, are located in academic settings, such as the University of New Mexico. Most SACs obtain financial support from the state, the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics, and from project-specific funding sources.

NMSAC is committed to the educational and professional development of new scholars in the field. As a matter of fact, NMSAC employs several graduate and undergraduate students (primarily those interested in the fields of criminology, sociology, and related diciplines.) Training is provided in various substantive areas of research conducted by the center. These areas include:

  • firearm-related crime
  • crime prevention
  • criminal gang studies
  • corrections management
  • treatment programs for offenders
  • strategic planning
  • and multi-organizational systems

The center provides a variety of training methods to coach these new scholars including:

  • evaluation methods (i.e., logical models, cost benefit, and survival analysis.)
  • survey research
  • case-flow and time-series analysis
  • ethnographic methods
  • and policy analysis

They also learn practical skills, such as:

  • data management
  • proposal writing
  • and project administration

 

Staff:

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Lisa Broidy, Ph.D.

NMSAC Director

lbroidy@unm.edu

(505) 277-4269

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Kristine Denman

Research Scientist

kdenman@unm.edu

(505) 277-6247
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Danielle Albright

Graduate Research Assistant

d0alb01@unm.edu

(505) 277-6247