UC Irvine professor wins prestigious Stockholm Prize in Criminology

Irvine, Calif., Nov. 13, 2025 - Charis E. Kubrin, professor of criminology, law and society at the University of California, Irvine, has been awarded the Stockholm Prize in Criminology, widely regarded as the field's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. She will be honored at a formal ceremony in Stockholm City Hall in June 2026.

Kubrin is being recognized for decades of research that has consistently challenged a persistent societal myth: that immigrants bring crime to their new countries. Her findings demonstrate that the opposite is true: that immigrants have lower crime rates than native-born populations and may actually help reduce crime in their communities.

"Beyond the fanfare, I appreciate the opportunity - the platform - the prize provides recipients to share what they have learned," Kubrin said. "The importance of making the most of that platform in today's context and climate, in the U.S. and around the world, is not lost on me."

Jon Gould, dean of UC Irvine's School of Social Ecology, emphasized the significance of the recognition: "The Stockholm Prize is criminology's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Our school is incredibly proud of Professor Kubrin and her important research that dispels pernicious myths about immigrants and crime."

The irony at the heart of Kubrin's work is striking: While study after study over the past century has shown that immigrants have lower crime rates than native-born populations, many people stubbornly cling to the opposite belief.

She tells her students at UC Irvine that the perception that immigrants are responsible for crime "is nothing new. It feels new. It feels particularly strong and salient in today's context, but this is a historical reality. Immigrants are often blamed for societal problems, including crime."

The challenge, Kubrin said, is bridging the gap between research and public understanding: "The research needs to have a bigger impact on public perception. The question is how; that's the million-dollar question. I'm still working that out, but at a minimum, we need to make sure that the studies and the findings reach the policymakers directly so that at the local, state, national and international levels, they are using evidence to design policy."

Anne Ramberg, chair of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation's board of directors, underscored the critical importance of Kubrin's work in the current global climate. "Today, as democracy and the rule of law are being challenged in many parts of the world, the value of independent research cannot be overstated," she said.

Established in 2005 by the Swedish government, the Stockholm Prize in Criminology recognizes "outstanding achievements in criminological research or for the application of research results in crime prevention and the promotion of human rights." It includes an award of 1.5 million Swedish kronor (approximately $150,000).

The award ceremony will be held next June at Stockholm City Hall in conjunction with the international Stockholm Criminology Symposium.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit https://www.uci.edu.

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