Dr. Laura van der Lugt is a Senior Associate at JSP and a justice policy change catalyst committed to building more equitable, data-driven systems. As a Senior Associate at Justice System Partners, she leads research, policy, and technical assistance initiatives to drive meaningful change in the criminal legal system. 

With deep experience in policy development, system transformation, and stakeholder engagement, Dr. van der Lugt has played a key role in national justice reform efforts, including expanding Justice Counts to improve data transparency. She has held leadership roles at the Council of State Governments Justice Center, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (MA), Roca, Inc., and the City of Boston. 

She holds a PhD in Criminology and Justice Policy from Northeastern University and is passionate about centering people and communities in systems transformation to create sustainable pathways for success and safety.