Jana Arsovska

Jana Arsovska is an Associate Professor of Sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York (CUNY), with dual affiliation in the Program of Doctoral Study in Criminal Justice at The Graduate Center, CUNY. She previously directed the MA Degree Program in International Crime & Justice and co-developed the Advanced Certificate in Transnational Organized Crime.

Her educational qualifications include:

• Ph.D. in International Criminology, University of Leuven, Belgium (2009)
• M.A. in European Criminology, University of Leuven, Belgium (2004)
• B.A. in International Relations and Foreign Affairs, American University of Thessaloniki, Greece (2003)

Dr. Arsovska's research centers on organized crime dynamics, with specialized expertise in Albanian criminal networks, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and Balkan criminality. Her work examines how cultural codes, migration patterns, and globalization shape transnational crime, particularly through field studies in New York City and the Balkans. She pioneered analysis of darknet drug markets and female offender roles in transnational networks.

Her publication portfolio reveals consistent focus on criminal mobility, corruption mechanisms, and post-conflict justice systems. Recent works increasingly address cybercrime dimensions and the intersection of radical Islam with organized crime in vulnerable regions.

Major recognitions include:

• 2015 Outstanding Book Award (American Society of Criminology)
• 2015 Best Publication Award (International Association for the Study of Organized Crime)
• 2016 Outstanding Book Award (Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences)
• NIJ’s 2012 W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship ($100,000)

She has mentored multiple graduate students as co-authors on publications and secured over $800,000 in research funding, including a $600,000 National Institute of Justice grant on darknet markets. Her consultancy work spans the World Bank, UNODC, and DCAF, with specialized training for law enforcement agencies on transnational crime patterns.

Dr. Arsovska contributes to CUNY's Center for Cybercrime Studies and develops curricula for international training programs funded by the Bureau for Justice Assistance and Organization of American States.