ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

In 2007 the Designing Out Crime research centre (DOC) was established as part of a NSW Department of Attorney General & Justice initiative. Following a competitive selection process the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) was chosen to oversee and operate DOC.

HOW WE WORK

DOC applies a ‘Design Thinking’ approach to find solutions to problems that have proved impossible to solve. DOC uses design research methods to explore problems and obtain an in-depth understanding of factors contributing to crime in specific problem situations. This research is then used to widen the problem context and create new frames. Reframing a problem context allows for totally new solution scenarios to be developed. DOC tests these solutions for validity, integrating them in to the problem context. Through this process DOC creates new solutions to old problems. These solutions can be physical product based, but can also be system or policy based.

OUR PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

The approach of the centre is inherently multidisciplinary and draws together a variety of organisations, including:

• NSW Department of Attorney General and Justice

• Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building (DAB) at UTS

• Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

• Faculty of Law at UTS

• NSW Police Force

We are constantly seeking opportunities to develop relationships with industry and experts in other research centres to broaden our base of knowledge and expertise.

Designing out crime (also ‘design out crime’ or ‘design against crime’), as a crime-prevention approach, was formally named in 1999 with the creation of the Design Against Crime (DAC) research centre at Central St Martins, London.

DAC’s establishment evolved out of an academic trend towards transdisciplinary crime research incorporating criminology and design methodologies. Research of design-related solutions to crime prevention had previously been lost through theories and resources that focused exclusively on criminals.

Transdisciplinary research allows for innovation in Situational Crime Prevention by,

• Exploring and developing design solutions to dissuade potential criminals

• Improving the quality of life for law-abiding users of public spaces

• Adopting a broad approach to crime prevention known as ‘designing against’ or ‘designing out’ crime.

OUR BOARD

DOC is governed by a board of management.

Board members:

• Detective Superintendent Helen Begg, Commander, Operational Programs, NSW Police Force
• Prof Kees Dorst, Director DOC, Associate Dean - Research, Faculty of Design, Architecture & Building, UTS
• Prof Desley Luscombe, Dean, Faculty of Design, Architecture & Building, UTS
• Mr Brendan Thomas, Assistant Director General, NSW Department of Justice and Attorney General (chairman)
• Dr Don Weatherburn, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

OUR ASSOCIATES

• Prof Lorraine Gamman, Director, Design Against Crime Research Centre, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts, London
• Prof Paul Ekblom, Co-Director, Design Against Crime Research Centre, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts, London
• Mr Adam Thorpe, Creative Director, Design Against Crime Research Centre, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts, London
• Mr Mark Armstrong, Director, Bluesky Design