معرفی
Federico Varese is Professor of Sociology at Sciences Po, affiliated with the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) and the Department of Sociology, University of Oxford, where he also holds the position of Senior Research Fellow at Nuffield College. He previously served as Director of the Department of Sociology at Oxford (2021–2023) and is currently Director of the Extra-legal Institute.
Education:
- University of Bologna
- University of Cambridge
- University of Oxford
Research Interests: Varese specializes in the sociology of organized crime, criminal governance, economic sociology, and social theory. His research explores the structures and dynamics of mafia groups, particularly the Russian mafia, transnational crime migration, cybercrime markets, and the relationship between criminal organizations and the state. He employs methodologies including social network analysis and ethnography to investigate how informal institutions govern social order in the absence of state authority.
Recent Research Trends: His recent publications reflect a strong focus on global cybercrime mapping, Russian political repression, and comparative studies of organized crime. The works demonstrate a shift toward digital criminology, transnational criminal networks, and the use of data-driven methods to analyze illicit markets and governance structures.
Scientific Awards:
- International Association for the Study of Organized Crime 2012 Outstanding Publication Award for Mafias on the Move
- ED A. Hewett Book Prize (co-recipient) for The Russian Mafia
- Niccolini Prize first prize for non-fiction for Mafia Life
- Bernagozzi Prize from the city of Portomaggiore, Italy
Advising and Grants: Varese has supervised numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers and has led major funded research projects. He currently holds an Advanced ERC Grant titled CRIMGOV (2022–2026), hosted at Sciences Po and Oxford University, focusing on criminal governance. He has collaborated with institutions globally and mentored scholars in criminology and sociology. His editorial roles include serving on the board of The British Journal of Criminology and as past Editor of Global Crime.
Labs and Research Groups: He is the Director of the Extra-legal Institute, a research hub focused on informal governance and illegal institutions. He is also a key figure in the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) at Sciences Po and has led thematic research seminars on state transformation, organized crime, and democratic strains.
