Honouring the legacy of Dr Nina Westera
Advancing research in investigative interviewing to protect the most vulnerable.
About Dr Nina Westera
Dr Nina Westera devoted her career to improving the quality of evidence in our justice system. Her groundbreaking research transformed the way police interview vulnerable adult and adolescent witnesses, ensuring their voices could be heard with clarity and integrity.
Nina’s work has left a profound mark, reshaping investigative interviewing practices and strengthening justice outcomes for victims of sexual assault, violent crime, and human trafficking. She was an accomplished researcher, a passionate advocate for evidence-based practice, and an inspiration to all who knew her.
The Dr Nina Westera Research Fellows Fund
To honour Nina’s vision and extend the impact of her work, the Dr Nina Westera Research Fellows Fund has been established.
Building on the foundations already created through the Dr Nina Westera PhD Scholarship and the Better Questioning for Law Enforcement Investigators course, this fund will advance high-impact, evidence-based practices in investigative interviewing, particularly for vulnerable adult and adolescent witnesses.
Under the leadership of Professor Martine Powell, Director of the Centre for Investigative Interviewing, the Fund will support research scholars to follow Nina’s line of work, generating new knowledge, influencing policy and practice, and ultimately improving justice outcomes for victims of crime (e.g., sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking).
Supporting the Next Generation of Leaders
The Research Fellows Fund will:
- Support outstanding early- and mid-career researchers in the field of investigative interviewing.
- Enable the delivery of high-impact, translational research projects that contribute to improved justice outcomes for vulnerable populations.
- Provide seed funding to assist Fellows in publishing preliminary research findings and securing major externally-funded research grants.
A Father's Tribute
“Nina, even as a very young child, had a strong sense of right and wrong. She also had a genuine protective instinct for those less capable of looking after themselves. She was always confident and self-assured and was not afraid to stand up against injustice.
When her kindergarten arranged a sponsored ride to raise funds for the poor, Nina was determined to raise as much money as possible. The kids were expected to do two or three laps. I had to pull her off her tricycle after twenty-five laps as I could see her less wealthy sponsors becoming very concerned.
She also cared for kids who were marginalised. She befriended them and looked after them. At primary school, Nina had been given permission to play in the boy’s rugby team as, in those days, there were no girls’ teams. However, when a boy asked to join the girl’s netball team he was refused. To her this was unfair. Boldly, she decided to take the matter up with the headmaster and plead his case. She was successful in his joining the team.
My hope for the Fund is that it will help progress Nina’s mission for justice and fairness for all victims.
Nina was the most caring, amazing and positive woman I have ever met, and I am proud to have been able to be her father.”
– Berend Westera
Future-Proofing Nina’s Legacy
The Dr Nina Westera Research Fellows Fund ensures that Nina’s pioneering work continues to shape justice systems around the world. It also strengthens the Centre for Investigative Interviewing’s role as a global leader in research and training, ensuring that vulnerable voices are heard and respected.
Learn More or Donate
If you are interested in learning more about the Dr Nina Westera Research Fellows Fund, please email info@investigativecentre.com
If you would like to donate to the fund and help to continue Nina’s legacy, please contact giving@griffith.edu.au
