Devon Polaschek

In 2011, Polaschek spoke at the University of Otago about recidivism and about the myth that offenders cannot be treated. In 2014 she published an article dispelling the myths about psychopathy and argued that people with high levels of psychopathic traits can be successfully treated using the risk, need, and responsivity principles of effective correctional treatment. She also said that psychopaths who had many previous convictions can become worse after poorly implemented treatment.

Having previously been with Victoria University of Wellington, Polaschek moved to the University of Waikato in December 2016 and gave her inaugural lecture on 30 May 2017. She was the Director of Te Puna Haumaru Centre for Security and Crime Science at the University of Waikato between 2018 and 2025.

In the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours, Polaschek was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to criminal psychology.