Gathering notable and tenured proponents for research presentations and discussions, members from the School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety (SCJPS) from the University of Baguio attended the Annual Research Colloquium that sought the presence of one-hundred-and-ninety-one (191) students, faculty, and special guests to share findings that can drive real change in criminal justice and public safety.
Held on March 21, 2026 via zoom online conferencing, international guests alongside a list of judges, peers, and invited speakers were able to spark interest and remind students and participants that their work as future professionals carries a real responsibility to communities in need.
Keynotes Addressing Policies and Disciplines
The event started with an introductory speech and keynote address from Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Niagara University in Ontario, Dr. Natalie Snow, delivering a comprehensive model on the he challenges faced by indigenous peoples within the justice system, including social biases and legal barriers that create a sense of urgency for fair and accessible treatment on gender-based violence, noting that many cases go unreported and that strong, research-based policies are needed to address this gap.
Alt Text: Highlights from the 2026 Annual Research Colloquium brought by the UB School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety (SCJPS) students, participants, faculty, international speakers, and guests
The event also sought after the attention and expertise from invited panels and tenured professionals focusing on the curriculum of public safety and forensics, including
- Dr. Leah Donato, PhD in Criminal Justice, Registered Criminologist
- Dr. Claire Kaplaan Lafadchan, Mountain Province State University, focusing studies on road safety and law enforcement
- Dr. Jay T. Dalet, University of the Philippines Manila, specialist in forensic science, molecular research, and a recipient of the ONE UP Professorial Chair Award
- Dr. Judith Bagona, member of the PNP Forensic Group, and an expert in Questioned Document Examination
Moving forward during the event, student participants were given the opportunity to presented their research, giving a more detailed approach through two parallel breakout rooms for Forensic Science and Criminology to tackle on topics and experiences in processing and thorough approaches on crime handling and prevention, logical training and jurisprudence processing, and support on personal efficacies in dealing with tourism crime cases.
Alt Text: Highlights from the 2026 Annual Research Colloquium brought by the UB School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety (SCJPS) students, participants, faculty, international speakers, and guests
Students under the Forensic Science (BSFc) program tackled topics on virtual reality in crime scene training, rape cases in Benguet, the experiences of parents of children who were in conflict with the law, digital footprints in missing person cases, and the difficulties of processing violent crime scenes in the Cordilleras. All while participants from the criminology (BSCrim) program discussed and touched up on topics covering crime reporting among college students, illegal mining in Itogon, crimes in the Baguio City Night Market, tourism and crime in Baguio, and the effectiveness of crime prevention programs in the city.
Each presentation was followed by a Q&A where students showed their ability to defend their work and think on their feet for advancements and suggestions for further deliberation, continuation, and publishing.
With the event advancing, notable student researchers and participants were commended with awards for outstanding achievements. Having the best paper under each program given to
Best Research Papers
- Digital footprints in missing person cases | Capis, Charity et al | BSFc program
- Crime prevention programs in Baguio | Balao, Roldan et al | BSCrim program
Best Presenters/Presentors
- Benguet, Camille et al | Best Presenter for BFSc
- Cumahleng, Jessabelle et al | Best Presenter for BSCrim
Best Posters
- Castro, Hazel et al | BSFc program
- Cumahleng et al | BSCrim program
Unlocking Research Support for Justice: UB’s Research Hubs and Resources
The colloquium also featured a session on the university’s research support services, led by Ms. Sittie Darimbang, who walked participants through the services available and the publication process with the assistance of the Research Innovation Extension and Community Outreach (RIECO) unit, and Mr. Oliver Celi, who discussed the Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion (IMRaD) format on protocols and practices on proper formatting for publication.
Alt Text: Ms. Sittie Darimbang from the RIECO unit promoting the services and publication process for the 2026 UB SCJPS Research Colloquium
The program concluded with a session on copyright and tool validation led by Ms. Nona Gabriel, who talked about the concepts of tool validation, and Mr. Joemarie Ituriaga, who addressed the copyrighting process for instructional materials. The goal of the event was to give faculty members a clear grasp of how to safeguard their work and guarantee the integrity of the research tools they utilize.
With the success of the event, The session aimed to orient students on UB’s research hubs and guide them in accessing and making the most of available research resources. Expressing the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were addressed
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): The colloquium gave students a real platform to present research and build skills in communication, critical thinking, and academic writing
- SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Topics covering crime prevention to indigenous justice showcase the university’s commitment to using evidence to support fairer and stronger institution
The 2026 SCJPS Research Colloquium was a powerful demonstration of what students can accomplish with the correct resources. It represents the school’s objective of turning forth graduates who are competent, socially conscious, and prepared to change the criminal justice system. The purpose of the event was to familiarize students with UB’s research hubs and provide them with guidance on how to access and utilize the research tools that are accessible.
