Marie R. Lindegaard

Marie R. Lindegaard is a Senior Researcher at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) and holds the position of Associate Professor in Dynamics of Crime and Violence at the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Department of Sociology. She is also a University Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Copenhagen, reflecting her significant academic presence in both institutions. Her work is central to the Video Violence Group, where she pioneers the use of video analysis in studying real-life social interactions.

Her research focuses on violence, aggression, interpersonal conflicts, and situational dynamics, employing ethnographic methods, CCTV analysis, and ethological observation. She investigates topics such as bystander intervention, police-citizen encounters, de-escalation strategies, youth violence, gang behavior, and behavioral crime interventions, with fieldwork extending to South Africa and the Global South. Her methodological innovations emphasize real-life observation over experimental setups.

The trends in her recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on video-based empirical research to understand human behavior in conflict and policing contexts. Her work spans criminology, sociology, and urban safety, often addressing pressing societal issues like ethnic profiling, public compliance during crises (e.g., the pandemic), and employee safety in retail. She frequently collaborates with researchers across disciplines and institutions, contributing to both Dutch and international academic discourse.

• Editorial board member, Criminology Open (observational methods)
• Editorial board member, International Criminal Justice Review

Lindegaard has been continuously employed in academic research since 2008, with prior roles at NSCR and VU University. She earned her PhD in Anthropology from the University of Amsterdam in 2009, focusing on gangs, violence, and racism in Cape Town. Her research is supported by ongoing projects related to crime dynamics, social distancing, and police practices. She leads and contributes to studies that inform policy and practice in law enforcement and public safety.

She is affiliated with the Video Violence Group and conducts research using covert and systematic social observations, contributing to methodological advancements in detecting biases such as ethnic profiling. Her work bridges theoretical sociology with practical applications in crime prevention and social intervention.