World-leading Criminologist joins the School of Law and Social Justice as Head of SSPC
We are delighted to welcome Professor Shadd Maruna who will join the School of Law and Social Justice in the next academic year as Head of the Department of Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology.
Professor Shadd Maruna is a world-leading criminologist, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise that is expected to enrich research and teaching in the areas of sociology, social policy, and criminology within the School of Law and Social Justice. As the Past President of the American Society of Criminology (2022-2023), the largest and oldest criminology society in the world, Professor Maruna is well placed to further elevate the international profile of the School.
Throughout his career, Professor Shadd Maruna has held appointments at Queen’s University Belfast, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, and was a Dean of the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice (USA). His research is dedicated to understanding crime and justice in a life course perspective, in particular, trying to understand routes out of criminality and ways that the justice system impedes (or less frequently, supports) this process of desistance from crime.
Recent areas of interest include parole board decision making and the use of personality disorder labels in the justice system.
Professor Maruna has received awards from the Howard League for Penal Reform and from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for the impact of his research on challenging the prison and probation systems. His book, ‘Making Good: How Ex-Convicts Reform and Rebuild Their Lives’, based on the Liverpool Desistance Study, was named an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Criminology’ by the American Society of Criminology (ASC) in 2001.
He has been a Fulbright Scholar, a Soros Justice Fellow, and an H. F. Guggenheim Fellow, and has received research funding from the ESRC, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Leverhulme Trust, among other sources. In his career, Professor Maruna has authored or edited six books and over 85 articles and book chapters, since 1997.
Professor Shadd Maruna succeeds Professor Susan Pickard as the Head of the Department of Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology. We extend our gratitude to Professor Susan Pickard for their leadership and dedication to advancing the Department’s mission and fostering an environment of academic excellence over the last 4 years.
Speaking of the appointment, Professor Shadd Maruna, said:
“I am delighted to be coming home to the University of Liverpool. As a former Fulbright student working in the Eleanor Rathbone Building in the 1990s, I am fully aware of what a remarkable history this department has and what an incredible city Liverpool is for co-producing research”.
Professor Valsamis Mitsilegas, Dean of the School of Law and Social Justice, shared:
“As Professor Susan Pickard’s term as Head of Department comes to an end, I want to wish Susan many thanks for all her hard work over the last 4 years. As we embark on this new chapter, I am delighted to welcome Professor Shadd Maruna to the School of Law and Social Justice. Shadd is an inspirational scholar, having made significant contributions in the field of criminology throughout his well-established career. I look forward to working together with Shadd to continue inspiring and elevating both our student and research community, to enhance the School’s global visibility and international reputation”.
This appointment is expected to inspire a new generation of students, researchers, and practitioners dedicated to advancing understanding and promoting social justice through sociology, social policy, and criminology.