Tim Newburn

Tim Newburn is a Professor of Criminology and Social Policy at the London School of Economics (LSE), where he has served since 2002. He previously held roles as Head of the Department of Social Policy (2010–2013) and Director of the Mannheim Centre for Criminology (2003–2009). His academic career spans over four decades, with prior positions at institutions including Goldsmiths, University of London, the Home Office Research & Planning Unit, and the Policy Studies Institute. Newburn is a leading authority on criminal justice policy, policing, and youth crime. He has authored over 40 books, including seminal works such as Criminology (3rd ed., 2017) and The Official History of Criminal Justice in England and Wales (volumes IV and V).

His research focuses on policing strategies, penal policy, riots, and comparative criminal justice systems. Notably, he led the LSE’s Reading the Riots project with The Guardian, analyzing the 2011 English riots. He also co-authored Orderly Britain (2022), examining everyday problem-solving through public policy.

Newburn has editorial roles in key journals like Policy Studies and Criminology and Criminal Justice, and serves as General Editor for Routledge’s Key Ideas in Criminology series. His awards include election to the Academy of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences (2005) and a presidency of the British Society of Criminology (2005–2008).

His doctoral supervision spans policing history, criminal justice policy comparisons, and riots analysis. Current projects include an official history of criminal justice with David Downes and Paul Rock. He is actively engaged in debates about police reform, law-and-order politics, and the public health approach to violence prevention.