Pioneering criminologist wins top European award

The University of Essex’s Professor Nigel South has been honoured with one of Europe's highest accolades in criminology, recognising a career spanning more than four decades that has transformed research, influenced international policy and inspired generations of students and researchers.

The European Society of Criminology has announced Professor South as the recipient of its 2026 European Criminology Award, which celebrates lifetime contributions to European criminology through research, teaching, leadership and service to the discipline.

An Emeritus Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, Professor South has built an international reputation for pioneering research into crime, social justice and public policy.

The award committee unanimously selected Professor South, recognising the originality and international impact of his research, his influence on public policy, his commitment to teaching and academic leadership, and his lasting contribution to criminology across Europe and beyond.

Professor South said: "This really is a huge honour, and I am delighted to be part of the European community of criminologists.

"The award committee looks beyond purely academic achievements and considers broader contributions to community and university life, which my years at Essex enabled.

“Of course, it also helps to have worked in a great department.”

Professor South is widely recognised as one of the founders of green criminology, helping establish the study of environmental crime, environmental harm and justice as a major area of criminological research, with a particular focus on the Global South.

Throughout his career, Professor South has also made significant contributions to understanding drug policy, crime prevention and criminal justice.

His expertise has informed governments and international organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, while his research has been published in more than 300 journal articles and book chapters, alongside 49 books as author, co-author or editor.

The award also recognises Professor South's wider contribution to academic life.

Alongside supervising 25 successful PhD students and mentoring future criminologists, he has played a leading role in shaping higher education through positions including Institute Director and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Essex, as well as serving on editorial boards, scientific committees and curriculum development groups.

Professor South will receive the award at the European Society of Criminology's annual conference in Warsaw in September 2026.