60 seconds with … James Ogloff

23 June 2010

Name: Professor James Ogloff

Title: Director, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Monash University and Director of Psychological Services, Forensicare

Faculty: Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences

Department: School of Psychology and Psychiatry

How long have you worked at Monash?

Almost nine years

Where did you work prior to starting at the University?

I was Professor of Law and Forensic Psychology at Simon Fraser University in Canada and Director of Mental Health Services for British Columbia Corrections.

What do you like best about your role?

I enjoy the diversity and challenge of my roles. I enjoy clinical work, understanding serious offenders. I like to develop mental health services in criminal justice, where they are sorely needed. I also greatly enjoy mentoring postgraduate students and staff.

Why did you choose your current career path?

My career path has been particularly windy! I initially trained in psychology, obtained a masters degree in clinical psychology and worked in a secure prison psychiatric hospital. I then pursued a law degree and wound up doing a PhD in psychology.

What did you want to do for a career when you were young?

I wanted to be a lawyer but initially did postgraduate training in psychology because the scholarship funding was better.

What research are you currently working on and what does it involve?

I have a few lines of research that I have pursued over many years. I became interested in jurors' comprehension of judges' instructions and have continued to work in that field, trying to develop mechanisms that enhance jurors' understanding of the legal instructions. I have also conducted research in violence risk prediction, psychopathy and the prevalence of mental illness in the criminal justice system. Most recently I have been developing a program of research to assist in understanding arsonists and predicting their risk for future fire setting.

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta where I grew up.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Don't take any wooden nickels!

Tell us something about yourself that your colleagues wouldn't know?

I have never watched a "forensic science" show (eg CSI, NCIS) but I am a diehard fan of 'Smallville'!