Dr Jarrod Gilbert
PhD, BA (hons), Dip Ad.
Research Director
Dr Jarrod Gilbert is the one of New Zealand’s leading sociologists. He conducted one of the most in-depth criminal ethnographies anywhere in the world in his study on gangs. He has subsequently led teams conducting research on numerous topics including criminal desistance, transnational organised crime, alcohol-related harms, and a number of programme evaluations. He advises a number of government agencies on policy matters. Jarrod wrote Patched the History of Gangs in New Zealand, A Rebel in Exile, and co-edited Criminal Justice: a New Zealand Introduction.
Julie Scott
Executive Assistant
Julie Scott is an administrative professional having worked in senior administrative roles at the University of Canterbury Law School, the New Zealand Police and Lincoln High School. Julie is a skilled communicator who assists in managing the day-to-day operations within the office while assisting our contractors throughout New Zealand. She is also the primary contact for clients at iRS.
Dr Virginia Maskill
PhD, MHealthSc, RN, Registered practitioner and supervisor – Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association Aotearoa NZ (DAPAANZ); Counsellor – NZ Association of Counsellors.
Dr Virginia Maskill has a private practice where she provides individual and couples counselling, as well as clinical supervision to counsellors and other health professionals. She has extensive clinical and research experience in assessing and treating individuals with substance use and/or coexisting disorders. As a report writer, she strives to holistically understand the effects and interplay addictions, mental health issues, including other health and environmental factors have on the person’s life and to recommend effective evidence-based treatment interventions.
Ian Wood
M(Ed) (hons), PGDIP (merit), Registered Clinician – Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association Aotearoa NZ (DAPAANZ).
Ian Wood works in private practice, specialising in the treatment of addiction and trauma. With postgraduate training and experience in the assessment and treatment of addiction and coexisting disorders, his report writing seeks to integrate the impact of addictions, mental health and environmental factors into realistic recommendations for treatment.
Paul Wynands
BA (hons), MA (applied) in Clinical and Community Psychology, MBA.
Paul Wynands is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and Member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (MNZCCP). Paul has worked for the past 35 years across the mental health sector in NZ and the UK, with the past 18 years focused predominantly in primary mental health consulting and leadership in Canterbury. His experience spans clinical leadership, senior management, rural health, community liaison, and intersectoral partnerships with NGOs, Corrections, Police and the Ministry of Social Development. Paul has robust assessment, treatment and report writing skills and works collaboratively to deliver evidence-based strategies that support meaningful and sustainable personal and organisational change.
Dr David Smits
PhD in Clinical Psychology, MNZCCP.
Dr Dave Smits is originally from Belgium and now calls Ōtautahi Christchurch home. He is a registered Clinical Psychologist and, for more than two decades, has worked widely within the mental health and addictions field in both New Zealand and internationally. More recently, Dave worked the last few years as a Principal Advisor in Mental Health and Addictions within the Department of Corrections. This work has provided him with a deep understanding of legislation, judicial systems and pathways, as well as a strong professional network, both of which contribute to the quality, relevance, and practical application of his work.
Johan Piek
MA (Clinical Psychology and Community Counselling), BA (Hons) Psychology, BA Humanities, PGCert in Specialty Care (Forensic Practice). Registered Clinical Psychologist – NZPB.
Johan Piek is a registered clinical psychologist who has worked across private practice, forensic, correctional, academic, and public mental health settings since qualifying in 2007. He has more recently held senior clinical leadership and advisory roles within Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections and now works in full-time private practice in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Johan has particular expertise in adult psychological assessment, trauma-informed formulation, complex mental health, neurodevelopmental presentations, and risk-related clinical factors. His report writing integrates psychological, developmental, and contextual information to provide clear, balanced, and evidence-based recommendations for treatment, rehabilitation, and continuity of care.
Susana Lustig
BAppSc (Psychotherapy), PG Dip. Addiction Studies, PG Dipl. Addiction Studies and Co-existing Disorders (Otago University), DAPAANZ Registered.
Susana Lustig works in private practice with a specialist focus on complex trauma, addiction, and forensic presentations. Drawing on postgraduate qualifications in psychotherapy and addictions studies, and extensive experience across therapeutic and forensic settings, she provides assessment, treatment, and report writing that integrates mental health, substance use, and the broader social and environmental context of each client’s life. Her practice is grounded in evidence-based modalities and a commitment to understanding the whole person.
Alice Downie
BSW, PG Cert. Addiction & Co-existing Disorders, PG Cert Prof. Supervision, Registered Clinical Supervisor – DAPAANZ Registered Social Worker.
Alice Downie has over a decade of specialist experience in addiction and trauma, providing comprehensive assessments, clinical formulations, and evidence-informed recommendations that support judicial decision-making. Trained as a social worker, Alice draws on trauma-informed, strengths-based, and evidence-based practice to deliver a genuinely holistic, person-centred approach. Alongside her report writing, she maintains a private practice offering clinical supervision and trauma counselling.
Jess Maclean
BSc and BA (hons).
Jess Maclean is a lecturer at Aotahi School of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Canterbury, with an interest in Criminal Justice and in particular the over-representation of Māori in the justice system. She has previously been involved in research projects supporting Te Pūtahitanga o Te Wai Pounamu, the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for the South Island, and is currently working on a PhD in Māori and Indigenous Studies.
Donna Chisholm
Cert J.
Donna Chisholm is an award-winning journalist and editor who has worked in newspapers and magazines for more than 40 years. She has specialised in feature writing in science, health, crime and social justice.
Rose O’Connor
Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications (Television)
Rose O’Connor is a former probation officer, government communications professional, and film and television crew manager. She has a special interest in recording oral histories.
Beck Eleven
BA, Dip J.
Beck Eleven was an award-winning journalist, feature writer and columnist at The Press newspaper for more than a decade before beginning a career in freelance and contract work. Her areas of research and writing expertise include human interest stories, crime, people and pets (for television and print publications).
Phil Taylor
BA, Dip J.
Phil Taylor worked as a journalist for 40 years during which he developed a special interest in crime and justice reporting. He has won New Zealand’s premier prizes for reporting, feature writing and investigative journalism and was awarded journalism fellowships to Green College, Oxford University, and Wolfson College, Cambridge University.
Dr Sarah Young
PhD, MA, PG Dip, BCom.
Dr Sarah Young is a former print and web journalist and a has a PhD in Creative Writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington. She has worked in journalism, communications and project management roles in New Zealand, Dubai, and the UK. Her research interests lie in complex trauma, literary trauma theory, and narrative theory.
Melanie Jones
Melanie Jones has more than 40 years experience in journalism. She has held a range of executive positions across broadcast media, newspapers and magazines. In these positions she has led many award-winning teams. She is currently also executive producer of The Hui.
Dr Chris Gallavin
PhD, LLB(hons).
Consultant
Dr Chris Gallavin is the Chief Executive of Sisters of Compassion Group Ltd and the former Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey University. Chris is recognised nationally and internationally as an expert in the area of criminal justice. He has presented at more than 35 conferences, and has in excess of 1000 media citations. Chris’ contribution to Independent Research Solutions is highly valuable and ensures complex legal policy concerns are considered. Chris offers legal consultancy services of the highest standard.
Dr Greg Newbold
PhD, MA, BA.
Consultant
Dr Greg Newbold is one of New Zealand’s leading sociologists with expertise around many elements of criminal justice. He is widely published including authoring seven books. He speaks regularly at overseas conferences and has published more than fifty articles and book chapters in New Zealand and internationally. He frequently acts as a consultant to the government on matters of criminal justice policy. His methodological understandings, his eye for detail and his demands for excellence help to ensure the highest possible quality of work.
Additional staff
With our close links throughout the academic and research communities, we are capable of sourcing relevant experts and other staff on a contractual basis. This means that each project has specific expertise and staffing levels as required.