معرفی
Dr. Nikki Rajakaruna serves as a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Edith Cowan University's School of Arts and Humanities, Joondalup campus. She specializes in preparing future criminal justice professionals through courses including The Criminal Justice Process, Critical Aspects of Policing, and Operational Policing, while actively supervising Honours and Higher Degree Research students. Her work bridges academic rigor with practical policing applications through extensive collaboration with the Western Australia Police Force.
Her academic credentials include:
- Bachelor of Arts from Edith Cowan University
- Master of Psychology (Professional) from Curtin University of Technology (2025)
- Doctor of Philosophy from Edith Cowan University (2019)
Rajakaruna's research program centers on operational policing challenges, with particular expertise in police use of force, human source intelligence management, and integrity frameworks. She pioneered influential studies on police mental health co-response initiatives and body-worn camera implementation, consistently translating findings into actionable police practices. Her community safety research extends to municipal partnerships like the City of Cockburn and Bunbury safety strategies, demonstrating commitment to evidence-based crime prevention that addresses both institutional and neighborhood-level concerns. This applied approach ensures her scholarship directly impacts policing protocols and community outcomes.
Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on police organizational dynamics, with 70% directly commissioned by law enforcement agencies. Her work shows increasing emphasis on mental health intersections (2018-2023) and cross-cultural considerations in criminal justice (2021-2025), reflecting evolving policing challenges in diverse communities.
Professional recognition includes:
- School of Arts and Humanities Teaching Award (2018)
- WA Police Mental Health Co-Response Certificate (2016-2018)
- Mental Health Commissioner's Award (2018)
- WA Police Body Armour Project Certificate (2019)
As a research supervisor, she guides three PhD candidates examining stress reactions in investigations, whistleblowing dynamics, and cultural influences on juror decisions. Her $1.1M+ in secured grants includes the Bunbury Community Safety Plan ($19,612), Use of Force Training validity study ($22,000), and Cockburn Safety Strategy ($16,495), demonstrating sustained success in competitive funding. Current projects focus on police integrity mechanisms and multicultural jury dynamics, with industry partnerships ensuring real-world impact.
Rajakaruna operates within multi-disciplinary research collectives including the ECU Police-Community Safety Hub, collaborating with psychologists, legal scholars, and police practitioners to address complex challenges like officer wellbeing and ethical intelligence gathering through integrated approaches.
