Christopher Cunneen

Professor Christopher Cunneen is a leading criminologist at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), holding the position of Professor of Criminology at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research since 2018. He has extensive academic experience, including roles as Professor at UNSW (2006–2010), James Cook University (2010–2014), and Director of the Institute of Criminology at the University of Sydney (1999–2005).

His research focuses on Indigenous peoples' relationship with legal systems, juvenile justice, restorative justice, policing reform, and human rights. He has contributed to major inquiries such as the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the Stolen Generations Inquiry. His work emphasizes decolonizing criminology, critical Indigenous methodologies, and systemic critiques of policing and incarceration.

Professor Cunneen’s funded research includes studies on justice reinvestment, Indigenous access to civil law, and penal systems reform. He has authored/co-authored over 287 publications, including seminal works on defunding police, decolonizing justice frameworks, and risk-based penal policies. His awards include the ANZ Distinguished Criminologist Award (2022) and Fellowship in multiple academic societies.

He actively supervises postgraduate research in criminology and social justice, advocating for community-centered approaches to legal and penal systems. His global collaborations and advisory roles highlight his commitment to advancing Indigenous self-determination and social equity.