ANZSOC Pre-conference Workshop - Uses and Abuses of Crime Statistics

Dive into the tricky world of crime stats and learn how to spot the real story behind the numbers at this hands-on workshop. Crime statistics are fundamental to evidence-informed policy and public debate, yet they can be misunderstood, manipulated, or misrepresented. This workshop brings together leading statisticians, academics, public officials, and media experts to examine how crime statistics are produced, interpreted, communicated, and used. Discussions will address the challenges of misinformation, fabricated statistics, and emerging AI technologies, while identifying strategies to improve data literacy, strengthen public understanding, and promote the responsible use of crime data across government, academia, media, and the wider community.