school of criminology and criminal justice

People attend the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s

Why this year’s MLK tributes take on a new sense of urgency

Observances of Martin Luther King Day at Northeastern and around the country are the first since George Floyd’s death ignited calls for policing reforms, says the director of Northeastern’s Institute on Race and Justice. The nation’s political and racial upheaval underscores the need for meaningful change as much now as in the heyday of the civil rights movement.

by Peter Ramjug January 18, 2021

Clockwise from tom left, mayor Yvonne M. Spicer, town manager Steve Bartha, Marc Draisen, executive director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, mayor Martin J. Walsh, mayor Dan Rivera and moderator Sid Espinosa, director of philanthropy and civic engagement at Microsoft, speak during the BARI closing keynote “What Cities and Towns Need Now”. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Imagine leading a city through a pandemic and mass protests. Now imagine doing it from home.

Three mayors and one town manager in Massachusetts have had to do just that since February. Now, these leaders are thinking about ways to strengthen their communities after COVID-19.

by Khalida Sarwari August 3, 2020

Northeastern graduate George Benner has been feeding neighborhood kids in South Boston via his charity, Round Table, since 2008.Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

The neighborhood kids were hungry. He planted a garden.

For years, George Benner—a Northeastern graduate and merchandising director for the Celtic punk band the Dropkick Murphys—has been feeding and supporting adolescents and their families in South Boston via his charity, Round Table.

by Ian Thomsen June 29, 2020

Here’s how policing in the US could be reformed

Police departments need to increase diversity, create a system that allows officers to report racist behavior, and allow the public to have a voice in police oversight to prevent the unprovoked killing of Black people, says Jack McDevitt, the director of Northeastern’s Institute on Race and Justice who studies hate crime and racial profiling.

by Khalida Sarwari June 2, 2020

Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

She’s providing security in the COVID-19 pandemic

Annie Glass is planning a career as a homicide detective. A third-year criminal justice major at Northeastern, Glass knows she will be expected to handle unprecedented, uncomfortable situations, and she is building those skills now.

by Clevis Murray - contributor April 18, 2020

‘How do we break the supply chain?’

Three Northeastern researchers are hoping to disrupt human trafficking in U.S. agriculture with an unusual approach: They are focused on the victims.

by Ian Thomsen November 18, 2019

Anthony Braga has spent nearly 25 years of his career working with the Boston Police Department to examine crime, gangs, and efforts to reduce violence in the city. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Northeastern professor taking a ‘fresh look’ at state of gang activity in Boston

Anthony Braga, a criminologist at Northeastern University, is leading a research project to identify the number of gang members in Boston, which neighborhoods they occupy, and the alliances and conflicts that have emerged between gangs in the city. He will also analyze how effective police and community programs have been at reducing gang violence.

by Greg St. Martin February 11, 2019

The hidden world of labor trafficking

A new study conducted by Northeastern University in collaboration with the Urban Institute examined the comprehensive state of labor trafficking networks in the U.S.

by John O'Neill October 21, 2014

Cracking down on human trafficking

A report by Northeastern researchers released on Monday outlines ways local, state and federal law enforcement can improve the identification, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking.

by Greg St. Martin June 19, 2012