The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Conference The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) recently introduced new award categories—the Student Panel Presentation Awards and Student Poster Awards—to recognize outstanding student research this year. To participate in the competition, students must prerecord their presentations and submit a YouTube link for evaluation. 

Steven Chen, a fifth-year doctoral student, won first place in the ACJS Student Panel Presentation Award. He will present his research, titled Uncovering Hidden Narratives: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis of Substance Abuse Experiences and Implications for Practice, this March in Denver. His presentation synthesizes qualitative reviews to highlight diverse perspectives often overlooked in quantitative approaches, particularly the social and emotional dimensions of substance abuse. By identifying key themes, his research aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of substance abuse and offers valuable implications for policy, practice, and future research while addressing gaps in both empirical evidence and intervention strategies.

The Department of Criminal Justice takes great pride in the achievements of our doctoral students and remains committed to fostering innovative research. Steven’s award reflects the dedication and excellence of our students, as well as the department’s ongoing efforts to support impactful scholarship. We celebrate this accomplishment and look forward to the continued contributions of our doctoral students in shaping the future of criminal justice research.