Lara Christensen

Dr Lara Christensen (Senior Lecturer, Criminology and Justice) holds a primary research interest in the prevention of, and response to, sexual violence and abuse. With a PhD in Psychology (field of research: forensic psychology), she is co-leader of the first University-led Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit (SVRPU) in Australia. Lara has a strong, knowledge base pertaining to child sexual offending, including female child sexual offenders, the attrition of child sexual abuse, the grooming process, cognitive distortions, online child sexual abuse material offenders, and victimology. Her knowledge also encompasses policing, courts, and corrections of child sexual offenders. You will find her research published in a number of top-tier international journals, including Sexual Abuse, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Sexuality and Culture.

Lara is Associate Editor of the Journal of Sexual Aggression, is a Committee Member on the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, was the Treasurer of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (July 2018 – December 2020), and is the Editorial Board Member on the peer-reviewed journal, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. Lara is currently working on a number of joint innovative projects with colleagues and other key stakeholders, including Queensland Corrective Services. Lara also supervises Honours (Criminology and Psychology) and PhD (Criminology and Psychology) students.

Awards

• Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology, Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, 2020 (one award in Australia per year, Criminology team award)
• Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology, David Biles Correctional Research Award (one award in Australia biannually, Criminology team award)
• Fellow, Advance HE (Higher Education Academy), 2019
• Vice-Chancellor and President's Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2019 (one award at USC per year, Criminology team award)
• Advanced Award for Quality Teaching, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2018
• Vice Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award, Griffith University, 2017
• Dean's Teaching Commendation, Griffith University, 2017 (Masters course)
• Dean's Teaching Commendation, Griffith University, 2017 (First-year course)
• Dean's Teaching Commendation, Griffith University, 2016
• Sessional Staff Award, High Commendation, Griffith University, 2013
• Dean's Commendation Award: Research Methods, University of Queensland, 2011
• Dean's Commendation Award: Evidence-Based Practice, University of Queensland, 2011