In summary

  • Dr Stephane Shepherd has been named recipient of the 2020 Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence in Justice by the Victorian Multicultural Commission
  • This award recognises the outstanding achievements of people and organisations who strengthen multiculturalism within the justice system

Associate Professor at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Dr Stephane Shepherd, has been named recipient of the 2020 Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence in Justice by the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

The award recognises the achievements of people and organisations that promote or improve access for multicultural communities to the justice system.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs the Honourable Ros Spence presented the award.

“Dr Shepherd is a researcher who explores the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals in the justice system through a variety of novel approaches and working experiences with multicultural communities and people in custody. His research has made a direct contribution to many government commissions, reviews and inquiries on the justice system,” says Minister Spence.

“This award is a recognition of the important work we’re doing to ensure that the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals who are involved in the justice system are identified and addressed,” says Dr Shepherd.

“It is an honour for our work to be recognised by the community in such an important way, and I am humbled to receive this award,” he adds. 

Helping multicultural communities in the justice system

Dr Shepherd’s research focuses on the mental health, cultural needs and social circumstances of individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system. “My research has identified ways in which service providers can work more effectively with multicultural populations who are justice-involved,” he explains. 

Dr Shepherd’s body of work in this space has earned him accolades, including a 2018 Saleem Shah Early Career Award and the inaugural Fulbright Scholarship in Cultural Competence in 2015. Most recently, he was named as one of the five recipients of the ABC Top 5 Media Residency Program for Humanities.

Recognising extraordinary Victorians

The Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence recognises the outstanding achievements of people and organisations who strengthen multiculturalism across 15 categories.

“I hope that the award will bring further attention to culturally relevant gaps in correctional policy and ultimately advance services for CALD individuals who are justice-involved,” Dr Shepherd adds.  

Related articles

  • Too many renters swelter through summer. Efficient cooling should be the law for rental homes
    • Social Affairs

    Too many renters swelter through summer. Efficient cooling should be the law for rental homes

    Summer is coming – and it’s starting earlier, becoming hotter and lasting longer. As the hot weather hits, many renters will be sweltering in their homes. The World Health Organization recommends a list of actions for people to deal with heat. At the top of the list is “keep your home cool”. But for many renters, this isn’t possible.

    Wednesday 22 November 2023
  • Optus store front
    • Law
    • Business

    The Optus outage shows us the perils of having vital networks in private hands

    Optus chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin is set to front a Senate inquiry this week, probing last week’s colossal outage which left millions stranded without internet or mobile phone connectivity for a staggering 14 hours. The company has faced severe critisism for its handling of the outage, including for its lack of urgency in updating the public.

    Wednesday 15 November 2023
  • Oracle and Swinburne School of Business, Law, and Entrepreneurship staff celebrating the partnership’s launch at Swinburne's Hawthorn Campus. Eight people all stand together next to a whiteboard with a promotional image displayed
    • Business
    • Law
    • University

    Swinburne and Oracle partner to enhance student employability

    Swinburne and Oracle have partnered to provide students with valuable industry interactions.

    Tuesday 05 December 2023
  • ASTRO 3D / Cristy Roberts. In 5 years, this Australian astrophysics lab reached 50% women. Here’s how they did it
    • University
    • Social Affairs

    In 5 years, this Australian astrophysics lab reached 50% women. Here’s how they did it

    Many organisations, from community sporting groups to the United Nations, have set themselves a target of gender parity: ensuring half of staff or members are women. Gender parity is desirable because training and retaining equal halves of a population’s available talent influences an organisation’s growth, problem-solving capacity and future-readiness.

    Friday 17 November 2023
    • Social Affairs

    Swinburne students win third consecutive Advertising Capstone Challenge

    Four Swinburne students have designed a winning campaign for BONDS Bloody Comfy Period Undies. 

    Friday 10 November 2023