Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES)

About Us

The Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES), formed by the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management (DPFEM), is based at the University of Tasmania and is a research institute of the College of Arts, Law and Education.

TILES has provided over 20 years of innovative, impactful, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research that is recognised locally, nationally and internationally. The Institute was founded in 2002 and fully established in 2003. It was the first institute dedicated solely to the study of law enforcement in Australia.

“Whenever I am asked about what has made it such a successful Institute, I always say 'collaboration'. I strongly believe that it is our relationships with communities and organisations that have created the environment for our successful research activities and outcomes”Emerita Professor Roberta Julian, TILES Founding Director

Our Vision

To be recognised internationally for excellence in law enforcement research.

Our Mission

To lead, broker, and promote evidence-based research to improve the quality of law enforcement and enhance community safety.

Our Scope

TILES is committed to excellence in law enforcement research. Collaborative research that links academics with practitioners is a hallmark of that research. Our research impact extends beyond traditional law enforcement research to include allied public health and community initiatives seeking to prevent crime and build community capacity to create safety.

TILES is part of the School of Social Sciences and provides research support to the teaching collaboration between the Policing and Emergency Management discipline and the DPFEM, especially in the development of Police Studies and Emergency Management programs. TILES is also engaged with Forensic Studies and the Criminology, Law and Police Studies Research Group (CLP).

The Institute provides supervision of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs , including the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Research (MRes).

Our Strategic Priorities

Research

1.1 Maintain and strengthen an international reputation for excellence in law enforcement research

1.2 Lead or broker innovative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research with stakeholders to address identified wicked problems

1.3 Provide strategic direction for law enforcement practice

1.4 Lead in the development of evidence-led policies and practices

Teaching

2.1 Maintain a reputation for excellence in law enforcement research training

2.2 Expand professional development offerings to build the capacity of partners to engage in evidence-led practices

2.3 Maintain and expand postgraduate research opportunities

2.4 Mentor ECRs and HDRs in innovative and critical research methodologies

Communication

3.1 Create communities-of-practice to share knowledge and build the capacity of stakeholders and partners

3.2 Maintain and strengthen existing communication strategies (TILES Briefing Papers, TILES Newsletter)

3.3 Create new communication strategies for accessible and industry-relevant outputs (TILES Briefing Notes, TILES Video Shorts, social media)

3.4 Enhance capacity to use alternative communication techniques to promote the Institute’s work

Engagement

4.1 Develop new and maintain existing stakeholder partnerships

4.2 Broker contract, industry-relevant research to strengthen responses to interpersonal violence, accessible justice, and evidence-led policing practices

4.3 Identify emerging issues in law enforcement, police education, public health, vulnerability, forensics, and interpersonal violence

4.4 Enhance partnerships and collaborative activities with non-policing first-responder agencies

Our Team

The Institute is based in nipaluna, lutruwita (Hobart, Tasmania). While our focus continues to be on providing place-based, applied solutions to local problems, the lessons from our close, respectful collaboration with Tasmania Police continues to provide a blueprint for our work beyond the island.

TILES researchers, affiliates, and adjuncts work closely with law enforcement and allied organisations, and have a long history of research on police education, public health, vulnerability, interpersonal violence, and critical forensic studies. In partnership with Tasmania Police and Victoria Police, TILES researchers are also police educators who use their research strengths and expertise in the classroom, building police capacity to engage with research evidence critically.