Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
John Hagan is an American-Canadian sociologist and criminologist. Born in Urbana, Illinois, he later moved to Canada, where he completed his PhD at the University of Alberta before pursuing an academic career in both Canada and the United States. He is Professor of Sociology and Law at Northwestern University and a former president of the
Edwin M. Lemert was an American sociologist best known for his foundational contributions to the sociology of deviance and the development of labeling theory. Trained in sociology and anthropology, Lemert taught at institutions such as the University of California, focusing on social problems, deviant behavior, and the role of societal reaction in shaping identity. Lemert
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