Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
Frank Tannenbaum was an American historian, journalist, and sociologist whose interdisciplinary work bridged criminal justice, labor history, and Latin American studies. Though he did not work as a criminologist in the strict academic sense, his theoretical contribution to the sociology of deviance – especially through his concept of the dramatization of evil – laid important
Gresham M. Sykes was an American sociologist and criminologist renowned for his pioneering work in prison sociology and theories of deviance. He taught at institutions such as Princeton University and was instrumental in shifting the focus of criminology towards sociological and interactionist perspectives. His work continues to shape the study of correctional institutions and social
David Matza (1930–2018) was an American sociologist and criminologist best known for his contributions to the sociology of deviance and juvenile delinquency. As a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Matza developed influential theoretical concepts, including Drift Theory, which challenged deterministic explanations of criminal behavior. His work bridged structural and interactionist perspectives, emphasizing the
Lloyd E. Ohlin (1918–2008) was an American criminologist and sociologist renowned for his work on juvenile delinquency, social structure, and crime prevention. He served as a professor at Harvard Law School and was influential in shaping U.S. juvenile justice policy. Ohlin collaborated with Richard A. Cloward to develop Differential Opportunity Theory, integrating sociological research with
Richard A. Cloward (1926–2001) was an American sociologist and criminologist best known for his work on social structure, deviance, and social policy. A long-time professor at Columbia University, Cloward collaborated with Lloyd Ohlin to develop Differential Opportunity Theory and was active in anti-poverty movements, co-founding the National Welfare Rights Organization. Cloward’s contributions to criminology center
John Braithwaite (born 1951) is an Australian criminologist and regulatory scholar, serving as Distinguished Professor at the Australian National University. He is internationally recognized for his pioneering work on restorative justice, corporate crime, and regulatory theory, and has significantly influenced criminal justice policies worldwide. Braithwaite’s work integrates criminology, sociology, and regulatory studies, focusing on how