Criminology staff and student success at international conference

Criminology academic Dr Jared Dmello and Bachelor of Criminology student Ashley Marcinkowski recently attended The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) annual meeting in Denver, Colorado.

The ACJS is the only international professional association for criminal justice with UN status.

Ashley received the Esther Madriz Student Travel Award from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Minority and Women’s Section. Ashley is first person in the University of Adelaide’s history to win this award.

The Esther Madriz Student Travel Award is designed to encourage the participation of undergraduate and master’s level racial/ethnic minority and women students to attend and make presentations at the ACJS Annual Meeting.

Award applications are examined based on scholarly rigour of the applicant, quality of the proposed work, and the applicant’s potential for contributions to the fields as they continue to grow as a scholar. The award comes with a plaque and cash prize.

Ashley says, “attending the ACJS Annual Conference was nothing short of an incredible experience! I had the opportunity to meet some of the brightest minds in the industry, learn valuable skills and engage in important conversations.”

“Being awarded the Esther Madriz Student Travel Award was a great honour, and I look forward to engaging in further conversations and contributing to this incredible field.”Ashley Marcinkowski, Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology student

Dr Dmello, Senior Lecturer of Criminology, received the Critical Criminal Justice Scholar award from the ACJS Critical Criminal Justice Section. This award is given for distinguished accomplishments that represent issues related to critical criminal justice through scholarship, teaching, or service.

The criteria notes “He or she should provide evidence of quality scholarship (primarily through publications in quality outlets), excellence teaching on matters that symbolize critical criminal justice, or service/outreach to the community or academy that has had a direct impact on local citizens, criminal justice agencies, etc”. Dr Dmello is also the first person in the University’s history to win this award.

Dr Dmello was also elected the Chair of the International Section (where he will manage the collaborative network of scholars from across the globe within the section); Co-Chair of the ACJS (made by presidential appointment, and this role will see him be one of the key organisers for the 2026 conference); and he is also co-facilitator of the ACJS Doctoral Student Summit, an internationally recognised professional development program for HDR students, which has been previously funded by the U.S. National Institute of Justice

Dr Dmello and peers have written multiple papers about ACJS; how it’s a professional development opportunity, how it meets the needs of doctoral students, and a they’ve also written a case study of the Summit.

"Given ACJS’s unique role as the premier professional association for the field in the world, the University of Adelaide’s high level of engagement in leadership roles combined with multiple research presentation and received awards really is a testament to the high calibre work being done in Criminology here at the University of Adelaide.”Dr Jared Dmello, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

“We were particularly proud to be the only university from South Australia and one of just three from the country representing the excellent scholarship and academic environments at this prestigious venue.”

“Ashley is a second-year student who has led her own research, under supervision, that merges her interests from two schools in the Faculty, showing the program’s commitment to student learning through practice and engaged experiences. If anyone is interested in studying criminology or is keen on getting involved in international or interdisciplinary research in this space, please join us – we’d love to have you!”