EmpowerCo Research

Looking into the Future

Improving public safety through evidence-based research to inform policymaking & practice.

Why engage EmpowerCo Research

Where we work, and why?

We currently offer our services in Australia and the United States of America, as well as across Asia. However, we are happy to look at individual research projects in other countries as well.

Establishing a presence across Australia, the United States, and Asia positions EmpowerCo at the intersection of policymaking influence and innovation. Each region offers an ideal foundation for evidence-based research, science applied and theoretical policy development, and international collaboration.

Australia provides a stable, collaborative research ecosystem and nationally coordinated policy structures that support whole-of-system approaches to public safety and community wellbeing.
The United States brings depth in evidence-based research and a diverse environment for new theories, testing and validating outcomes, in an extensive public safety ecosystem.
Asia offers the rapidly developing public safety landscape where governments and institutions look to invest heavily in public safety research partnerships due to outcome benefits for their communities and developing infrastructure.

This tri-regional presence ensures that EmpowerCo can generate globally relevant and locally responsive evidence outcomes. This positions EmpowerCo as a trusted research leader in the design of effective evidence-based and science-informed solutions that strengthen public safety and community resilience worldwide.

overview of what we do

EmpowerCo bridges the rigour of academic research with the agility of client-driven focus, delivering applied, evidence-based insights that directly inform policy and strategic decision-making.

key Features of our services

Client-Commissioned Research Focus

Projects are designed around the specific needs, priorities, and challenges of the commissioning organisation (government agency, NGO, or private enterprise), not academic or personal agendas.
Research questions, scope, and outcomes are determined collaboratively with you and your organisation.

Evidence-Based, Scientifically Aligned Methodology

We base our research on rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific frameworks and foundations, employing data validation outcomes.
We can employ individual or mixed-methods approaches (quantitative, qualitative, ethnographic, etc.) required to ensure depth and reliability of the outcomes, specific to the needs of the research.

Policy Translation and Implementation Pathways

Our outputs and research outcomes include not only research findings but also practical policy recommendations, strategic roadmaps, and implementation models.

Independent and Agile Structure

We operate outside bureaucratic or institutional constraints, allowing rapid response to emerging public safety or social issues or policy questions., and independence necessary to drive policy outcomes. This independence is important, as we retain total independence on the research outcomes, regardless of who commissions it.
Due to the independence of our research, the research outcomes withstand external review or criticism due to funding bias, financial and outcome interests, that can damage the authentication and validity of the results.

Transparent and Ethical Research Governance

We adhere to robust ethics frameworks, data integrity standards, and transparent reporting processes.
All human-based research adheres to the Australian National Statement of on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and comparative international guidelines, with Human Research Ethics approvals being obtained.

Knowledge Dissemination and Theoretical Contribution

We produce outcomes that contribute to public discourse and theoretical advancement — often publishing or sharing non-confidential elements to expand societal and academic knowledge.

the Benefits of our services?

Direct Relevance and Impact

We deliver research that addresses the real and immediate concerns of decision-makers rather than just academic or individual curiosities.

Timely, Actionable Results

We undertake limited projects at one time to ensure that accelerated project timelines can be achieved, if necessary. This enables faster evidence generation, ideal for pending policy windows or urgent social challenges.

Bridging Research and Practice

Are strive for practical outcomes, where we provide data and evidence into practical, policy-ready insights — closing the gap between what’s known and what’s done. This is known as theory to practice.

Tailored Deliverables

We deliver reports, policy briefs, or strategic frameworks designed to meet the communication needs for policymaking, organisations, and practitioners.
We then look at delivery academic or theoretical discourse papers to support those deliverables.

Innovation and Flexibility

We look for and encourage novel methodologies, digital tools, and participatory research models that traditional academia may be slower to adopt.

Enhanced Credibility and Influence

Our research positions you as being an evidence-led and forward-thinking organisation that bases your decisions on validated data and sound theory.

What are the Advantages?

Client-Led Direction

Research driven entirely by your commissioning of the questions and priorities for the research.
Research that avoids academic constraints like funding cycles, tenure-driven interests, or narrow theoretical focus.

Outcome-Oriented, Not Publication-Oriented

We prioritise impact over publication — with outcomes designed to drive real-world change, not just academic recognition.

Integrated Policy Interface

Theory to practice: Research that builds communication bridges between scientific research and policy formulation, including stakeholder engagement, scenario modelling, and legislative positions.

Strategic Confidentiality

We can provide confidential or proprietary outcomes when sensitive or politically significant topics are involved.

Global and Local Flexibility

We operate across jurisdictions and cultural contexts — especially valuable in cross-country policy comparison or international public safety research.
We combine local and international examination of policy issues within the public safety landscape to ensure that outcomes meet research goals and objectives.

Examples of the TYPES OF research we undertake

Action Research (Qualitative)

This approach involves testing ideas in practice as a means of improving social, economic or environmental conditions and increasing knowledge. Action research proceeds in a spiral of steps consisting of planning, action, and evaluation. It provides a basis for further planning of critically informed action.

Ethnographic Research (Qualitative)

Ethnographic research is a qualitative, iterative research method used to engage with a group, community, population or society that is aimed at the description of everyday life and practice and the interpretation of cultural meanings, patterns and systems emphasising an ‘insider’s point of view’.

Observational Research (Qualitative)

Observational research involves the researcher observing participant(s) in their own environment, or in the environment being studied. Data collection through observation can be structured or unstructured, with the observer as a collaborative participant (participant observation) or external to the environment.

Survey/Interview/Focus Group Research (Qualitative)

Interviews involve researchers talking to one or more participants, where the categories of response are focused but not necessarily pre-determined. Interviews are usually recorded or through notes.

Focus groups of participants discuss a set of research questions or topics. This may entail the researcher acting as a moderator for the discussion. This method includes research using oral history.

Constructivism Research (Qualitative)

Focuses on understanding participants' subjective realities and co-constructing knowledge between the researcher and participants, often using methods like interviews and case studies. The goal is not to find a single objective truth, but to explore multiple, co-created realities and the diverse perspectives that result.

Data-linkage Research (Qualitative)

This is typically population based longitudinal data that has originally been collected for another purpose. Linkage may take place across data sets in a single domain (i.e. health) or across domains (i.e. health, education, environment, early childhood, etc.).

Descriptive Research (Quantitative)

This is typically used to describe the current situation of an identified topic of research. The research does not begin with any hypothesis, but this will be developed through the analysis of the collected data. Example: The description of the speed in which illicit tobacco sellers can restock after a seizure by a regulator.

Correlational Research (Quantitative)

This is typically used to determine the extend of the relation between two or more variables in statistical data. This research looks at the relationships between the data variables, and does not look to prove causes of the relationship. Example: The relationship between dangerous eBike use and serious injuries.

Casual-Comparative Research (Quantitative)

This is a method of research that identifies the cause-and-effect relationship between variables after an event has already occurred by comparing two or more existing groups. The researcher does not manipulate the independent variable, but instead, selects pre-existing groups that already differ on an independent variable (e.g., growth of eBike use) and compares them on a dependent variable (e.g., hospital admissions).

some emerging issues where research can assist policymaking

eBike & eScooter

Retail Theft & Threats

eBike & eScooter

The emerging issue in youth safety and trauma is the use of eBikes and eScooters. We can assist in factual-based research that can inform policymakers with the evidence to address this trending issue and its affects on personal and public safety.

Road Trauma

Retail Theft & Threats

eBike & eScooter

Road safety and trauma issues have always been a significant issue. Whilst statistics have always been available, we can assist in deeper research that can deliver evidence-based information to assist in policy changes or campaigns.

Retail Theft & Threats

Illicit Vape & Cigarettes

The increase in retain theft, and the effects that it has on workers and business is important for our communities. Research that looks at worker safety, offending, and current business policy can deliver outcomes that improve this issue.

Illicit Vape & Cigarettes

Youth Crime & Doli Incapax

Illicit Vape & Cigarettes

The use and supply of illicit vapes and tobacco is a serious emerging issue facing Australia. These activities have ties to organised and network crime. Policymakers can be assisted with research in areas such as impact, restocking, and ongoing supply.

Youth Crime & Doli Incapax

Current issues include raising the mandatory age of criminal responsibility, the legal principal of doli incapax, the impact on violent offending, and the diversion to restorative to retributive framework within youth justice and these effects on recidivism and youth crime increases.

Bail Operation

Youth Crime & Doli Incapax

The operation of the bail laws is regularly raised as a current public safety issue. Research into the bail ecosystem looking at legislation, inappropriate use of bail conditions, youth bail conditions, preventing reoffending, social vulnerabilities for persons on bail are all issues in need of research.

Violence & Crime

Incarceration & Recidivism

Are our communities becoming more violent and committing more violent crime? Are current practices contributing to fear in the community? What issues have had an uptick in violence in recent years? These are just some of the research issues that can deliver the science-backed findings to support improvements. Strong evidence-based research can address concerns on crime and violence to improve public safety.

Incarceration & Recidivism

What are the current issues within the incarceration and crime recidivism landscape? Are there better opportunities to reduce recidivism outside of incarceration? How does the intersection of restorative justice work in our current judicial environment? Can alternatives repair the harm for victims whilst protecting the community? Only strong evidence-based research can address these public safety concerns across the political landscape.

Political Policy

Incarceration & Recidivism

Political Policy

Research that looks at political issues that can assist political parties or other organisations support their positions that is needed influence change. Whatever the issues are, if you need the evidence to support policymaking change, or implement new directions within the political landscape our services can assist.

RECENT AND CURRENT PROJECTS

Online sexual exploitation of children emanating from the Philippines

Doli Incapax. Doing evil: A current theoretical review of doli incapax in juvenile crime and justice

Qualitative research being conducted through Charles Sturt University, Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security in the methodologies of how offenders facilitate Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) to deliver preventative, investigative, and disruption strategies to protect children worldwide.

Doli Incapax. Doing evil: A current theoretical review of doli incapax in juvenile crime and justice

Current research project looking at the operation of the rebuttable presumption of ‘doli incapax’ where a child in unable to determine right from wrong in criminal acts. This research paper looks at the current theoretical landscape on the issue of doli incapax within the juvenile justice environment and examine existing theories on its application, extension, or removal within the scope of escalating youth crime issues in Australia.

Restorative and retributive justice: Reconfiguring the path from diversion to restorative to retribu

Current qualitative research project (seeking funding) into the current youth crime ecosystem which is not reducing juvenile crime, incarceration, or recidivism rates given the adulterated version of restorative justice in use across Australia. The research examines the operation of restorative justice practices that have proven reduce recidivism and repair the harms caused by juvenile crimes within successful juvenile justice ecosystems. This research will provide the opportunity to construct policies, procedures, and practices in effective restorative justice programs that strengthens juvenile justice practices to reduce recidivism rates among young people and protect the community from crime. Finally, the research seeks to produce a model for government, the judiciary, law enforcement, and the community on and effective justice pathway that includes restorative and retributive justice components with improvements into the operability of juvenile justice within a judicial context reducing recidivism and incarceration.

Your research here

Restorative and retributive justice: Reconfiguring the path from diversion to restorative to retribu

What can EmpowerCo help you to deliver?

This could be your project space.

EmpowerCo Research

Looking into the Future: Evidence and science-backed public safety policymaking.

Improving public safety across Australia, United States of America, and Asia.

EmpowerCo Position Statement

EmpowerCo - the mission

Our Mission

Looking into the Future