It first identifies three aspects of a new global reality that form the context for a new strategy for research that will assist in the development of sound criminal justice policy and practice. One aspect of the new global reality is transnational crime, which has been fueled by global economies and technologies that have made possible a greater number of criminal schemes and opportunities. Specifically, global economics, immigration, and communications technology are gaining momentum, creating opportunities for new types of criminal behavior to evolve at a high rate. The second reality is the movement toward international systems of justice, and the third aspect of the new global reality is the transition from totalitarian regimes to democratic forms of government, which has often been accompanied by increases in crime, fear of crime, and calls for the police to reduce crime and restore order. These three global trends create an imperative for better understanding of crime and effective responses to it. The paper then turns to a discussion of the building blocks of research infrastructure. The term "infrastructure" is used to describe a social capacity to produce a specific type of knowledge. The author envisions a global criminal justice research infrastructure that would have five components. It would be built on good data; would reflect independence and integrity in research method and research findings; would embrace the opportunities for regional, economic and cultural diversity and inclusion; would reflect international priorities; and would work in close partnership with international entities that are developing policy. The paper concludes with a discussion of directions for the future. 15 notes