ASC Division of Experimental Criminology (DEC)

The ASC Division of Experimental Criminology (Current Chair: Rylan Simpson) was established formally by the Executive Board of the American Society of Criminology in April 2009. Through its work, the Division seeks to advance the development of experimental scholarship within all subject areas, as well as promote the use of evidence-based crime policy. The Academy of Experimental Criminology (AEC) was founded in 1998 by efforts led by Lawrence Sherman and other experimental criminologists.1 The formation of the DEC was first initiated by leaders within the Academy of Experimental Criminology (AEC) to promote  engagement in experimental criminology in ASC, especially among graduate students and younger scholars.

Since its formation, the DEC has worked to advance applied and field research methods, as well as to increase the visibility of experimental and non-experimental evidence. Today DEC remains the only Division focused on a particular set of methodological approaches, as opposed to a substantive area of research. The DEC seeks to achieve its goals in multiple ways including: a) a series of activities during the ASC annual meetings and throughout the year, b) posts to social media and the website, c) a newsletter, and as of 2018, d) a mentoring program. The Journal of Experimental Criminology (JoEX), a top-tier academic journal focused on publishing high-quality experimental and quasiexperimental scholarship, is the official journal of the DEC. Additionally, DEC recognizes outstanding achievements in experimental criminology through the Jerry Lee Lifetime Achievement Award, the Award for Outstanding Experimental Field Trial, and the Student Paper Award. AEC similarly recognizes experimentalists through the Joan McCord Award and the Outstanding Young Experimental Criminologist Award.

The DEC and the AEC, though independent entities, continue to work closely together to advance shared goals. The AEC today primarily serves to recognize scholars who have successfully led randomized controlled field experiments in criminology through their election as Fellows. Fellows are elected annually by a vote of the entire Fellowship upon nomination by any Fellow and are installed at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the DEC events at the ASC annual meeting. In 2012, recognizing the value and efficiency of a shared governance, DEC Chair David Weisburd and the AEC President Anthony Braga initiated a Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the close relationship between the AEC and the DEC.

Join

• New ASC Members should refer to the Divisions section of the membership form.
• Existing ASC Members may add this Division to their current ASC membership as per the member’s membership portal landing page.

Dues

• Active/Retired Member ($25)
• Student Member ($10)

Resources

• Website
• Journal (affiliated)
• Account Balances & Membership Figures
• Information on donating to the Division of Experimental Criminology Awards and Mentoring Program Fund