Crime and Criminology (C2G)

Cutting-edge crime research

The Crime and Criminology Group (C2G) brings together researchers from several disciplines to investigate constructions of crime, causes of crime, diverse harms associated with crime and responses to crime in its various forms.

Our goal is to engage in cutting-edge research that has real-world applications in the education and training of scholars and practitioners.

Our research areas

Our researchers have expertise in a wide range of areas and are engaged in diverse projects covering many aspects of criminology. Led by our group convenors, C2G integrates research under three domains:

Crime and justice

This theme focuses on constructions of crime and criminal behaviour across diverse crime types, to better understand how these relate to questions of justice.

Offenders and victims

This theme relates to the causes of crime, as well as the many diverse harms associated with crime for individuals, communities and society.

Governance and regulation

This theme addresses the ways in which crime is framed within and beyond the criminal justice system, and approaches to preventing and responding to crime.

Real-world responses to the impacts of crime

When you study a PhD or postdoctoral research with the Crime and Criminology Group, you'll be supported by renowned researchers.

Explore our research degrees

Featured projects

Our partnerships with government, community and industry allow us to deliver research with impact. We lead bold initiatives that seek solutions beyond traditional research and organisational boundaries.

The Australian carbon market as state-corporate crime

The Australian Government has committed to a 2050 net zero greenhouse gas emissions target through its Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan (LTERP). The LTERP envisages that 10-20% of all emission reductions to 2050 will be from carbon offsets traded in international and Australian carbon markets. This paper advances a critique of the Australian carbon market to explore the possibility that the Australian Clean Energy Regulator paradoxically operates to increase carbon emissions, accelerate planetary ecocide and misappropriates public funds.

A systematic review of research and policy on police-perpetrated domestic violence

The nature and extent of police-perpetrated domestic violence in Australia is currently difficult to quantify. There is an urgent need for research to examine the issue, along with the implementation of stronger policies to protect victims, ensure perpetrator accountability, and to address existing [police] cultural impediments. This takes the first step by conducting a systematic review of existing national and international research and policies on this issue.

Our researchers

Steered by our group convenors, our members span from early to mid and senior career researchers. They bring a range of disciplinary expertise based on decades of combined experience.

Professor Chad Whelan is a professor in criminology in the School of Humanities and Social Science. He conducts research across many areas of criminology, with a particular interest in organised crime, terrorism, cyber-crime and security, and multi-agency responses to such problems across organisational boundaries and professional disciplines.

Dr Imogen Richards is a lecturer in criminology at Deakin and a research fellow at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation. Her research explores the political economy of terrorism and counterterrorism, new media in the context of criminological debate and the performance of security in response to social crisis.

Research team

Alexander Baird, Senior Research Assistant

Professor David Bright, Professor of Criminology

Associate Professor Clare Farmer, Associate Professor in Criminology

Dr Diarmaid Harkin, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Professor Andrew Hope, Head of School

Dr Mary Illiadis, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Dr Chris Linke, Associate Lecturer, Criminology

Dr Monique Mann, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Dr James Martin, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Dr Imogen Richards, Lecturer in Criminology

Dr Emma Ryan, Lecturer in Criminology

Associate Professor Danielle Tyson, Associate Professor in Criminology

Professor Reece Walters, Professor of Criminology

Dr Ian Warren, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Professor Chad Whelan, Professor of Criminology

Dr Mark Wood, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Our partnerships

C2G’s impact extends beyond academia because of our applied focus and experience in research translation. Our partnerships with experts outside of criminology underpin our work and are essential to our success. Our researchers often consult with organisations, including:

Department of Justice and Community Safety
community legal centres and communities.

We also regularly appear in public media, including featuring on television and podcasts.

Contact us

Our team is here to answer your questions and help you learn more about the Crime and Criminology Group. Visit our blog for more information, our publications or current news. Or get in touch with our group convenors:

Email Professor Chad Whelan

Email Dr Imogen Richards

Discover more

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Research strengths

Advancing society and culture

Building safe and secure communities

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Crime and Criminology