Emma Larouche
9 December 2024: Professor Leanne Weber from the University of ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥’s Faculty of Business, Government and Law has received the Distinguished Criminologist Award from the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (ANZSOC).
Professor Weber was recognised at last week’s annual ANZSOC Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand. ANZSOC acknowledged Professor Weber’s lifetime contribution to the field of criminology through her exceptional academic career, leadership in the ANZSOC Crimmigration and Border Control thematic group, and dedication to advancing human rights at borders.
Professor Weber said the award came as a ‘total surprise’, but she appreciates the recognition from her peers.
“I am honoured to have achieved this wonderful recognition from those who have supported me throughout my criminological career,” Professor Weber said.
“I will be retiring at the end of this year. I am pleased to have spent the final stage of my career at the ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ Law School, supported by wonderful colleagues and working particularly closely with co-researcher Professor Alison Gerard.”
Throughout her career in academia, Professor Weber has advanced criminological research independently as an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow, with peers across multiple ARC Discovery Projects and for postgraduate and undergraduate criminology, criminal justice and law students.
Announcing the award winner, ANZSOC described Professor Weber as a valued colleague, supervisor and educator, with a passion and intellect for criminal justice and human rights.
In addition to accepting her award, Professor Weber presented the Distinguished Criminologist Lecture at the conference, to be published in the Journal of Criminology. The lecture, entitled ‘Lines, edges and intersections: Building border criminology from the margins’ reflected her career and focused on the intersection of criminology and human rights.
“I wanted to use this speaking opportunity to raise awareness about the role criminological research can play in promoting human rights,” Professor Weber said.
“The discipline of criminology is often accused of being technical and uncritical of government practice. Incorporating human rights thinking into our research can provide a much-needed normative element.”
As a Distinguished Criminologist, Professor Weber was also awarded the honorary title: Fellow of ANZSOC (FANZSOC).
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