Amy Nivette

Dr. Amy Nivette is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Utrecht University, Netherlands, within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Her research focuses on criminology, sociology, and policing, with a comparative approach to understanding crime, justice attitudes, and police legitimacy. She holds affiliations with institutions such as the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), the Zurich Project on Social Development (z-proso), and the Violence Research Centre at the University of Cambridge. Her work examines crime dynamics, youth behavior, and security in open societies.

Education

• Ph.D. in Criminology, University of Cambridge (2012)
• M.Phil in Criminological Research, University of Cambridge (2009)
• B.Sc. in Justice Studies, University of Idaho (2008)

Research Interests

Dr. Nivette investigates the interplay between societal institutions, policing practices, and crime prevention. Key themes include:

• Police legitimacy and procedural justice
• Crime trends during global crises like the pandemic
• Violence reduction strategies and policy implications
• Intergenerational transmission of trust in criminal justice systems

Recent Research

Her studies often use longitudinal cohort data (e.g., z-proso) to analyze youth behavior transitions. Recent work includes global analyses of pandemic-related crime shifts and evaluations of police contact effects on youth mental health.

Labs & Collaborations

She leads projects funded by NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) and collaborates with international networks like the Violence Research Centre and the Security for Open Societies Research Hub. Her work bridges criminology with public policy, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches.