Adelaide Bragias

For Adelaide Bragias, being taught by the country’s leading criminologists, psychologists and sociologists helped her build a well-rounded perspective to examine the 'crime problem' in society.   

As a Bachelor of Criminology (Honours) student, her thesis is on familial homicide and she hopes her research can have a meaningful impact on policy and future research.

“When you choose a degree you love, you will work every day until you graduate, but nothing will taste sweeter than nailing an essay or feeling knowledgeable at a dinner table conversation,” Adelaide says.

“I chose Criminology because I want to understand how to make our systems and societies fairer, and safer for everyone,” she says.

One of Adelaide’s favourite courses is CRIM3005 Diversity and Crime: Equality in the Criminal Justice System. “The capstone course, geared towards final year criminologists, is an opportunity to look at yourself, our institutions and theories through a critical lens and unpack the power structures embedded within them. No stone is left unturned and the course challenges us to look at the intersection of privileges afforded to us. It is confronting, but deeply important,” she says.

Another favourite course is CRIM2011 Special Topics in Criminology which has a different focus each semester. “I completed the course while it was looking at targeted violence, and previous iterations have included policing and art crime. It means that each semester, budding criminologists have the opportunity to examine a cutting-edge, contemporary crime problem, moving beyond mere conceptual theories,” she adds.

The Honours student was also the recipient of the Toni Makkai Prize for Excellence in Criminology in 2021.

It has been an adventurous journey for Adelaide since she enrolled at ANU in 2018.

“I look back on the person I was, fresh-faced and terrified, and want to give them a hug. I also want to tell them what a fantastic adventure awaits them in Canberra, and how many wonderful people they’ll meet along the way,” she says.

Adelaide grew up in Western Sydney and moved around the East Coast before settling in Canberra.

“A Canberra sunset still stuns me, especially set against the silhouette of Telstra Tower and the sound of creaking Gang-gang cockatoos. Canberra, and the ANU, quickly became my home and much more than the Year 6 trip to Questacon. It is delicious how at ease you can feel here, sipping a coffee on the Kambri lawns on a sunny spring day,” she says.

Neither of her parents went to university, so many tears were shed jumping straight into off-campus independent living, navigating work and trying to figure out what the difference actually was between lectures and tutorials.

“I decided I didn’t want to be afraid to ‘join in’ at university. I sent emails full of questions, joined student societies and worked many jobs trying to figure out what I enjoy,” she says.

“The adjustment can be difficult and it is scary diving into a world that you feel no one else can help you navigate. Adjustment can be challenging but not impossible and you are far from alone. Between services you can access via the ANU such as Student Central, and the fabulous friends you'll make, you will feel like a professional by the next semester. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

 “Everyone is so afraid of embarrassing themselves, but you never remember something embarrassing someone else has done. So, ‘lean in’ to the embarrassment and try something new. It’s where the best opportunities usually are.”

She advises future students to “dive headfirst”.

“You didn't come this far to only come this far. You don't want to be sitting in Llewellyn Hall with your gown and mortarboard, wishing you'd applied for that research role or signed up for the rock-climbing club,” she adds.

Adelaide is the 2022 president of the Criminology Society. Her focus is on creating opportunities and safe places for students to learn something new, join a community and have a memorable time at ANU.