John Lea is a British left realist criminologist. For many years he was based at the Centre for Criminology and the Crime and Conflict Research Centre, Middlesex University in the United Kingdom.

Career

He graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London with a BSc in Economics in 1967, before gaining MSc's in Economics and Social Policy there too. From 1997 until his retirement in 2003 he was Professor of Criminology at Middlesex University. He has subsequently been visiting Professor at the Universities of Brighton, Leicester, Roehampton and Goldsmiths (University of London)

Work

His research interests include policing, organised crime, the historical development of crime and criminal justice institutions, the role of the private sector in criminal justice and the relationship between crime, war and security. Lea was one of the key founders of the left realist approach alongside Jock Young, Roger Matthews, Richard Kinsey and Ian Taylor, His book with Jock Young, 'What is to be Done About Law and Order?' (1984) was a founding text of the left realist school. This was followed by, (with Richard Kinsey and Jock Young) 'Losing the Fight Against Crime'(1986). In 2015 he was awarded the British Society of Criminology Outstanding Achievement Award. (presented at the BSC Conference, Plymouth University, July)

Publications and articles

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s