UNCW Professor Earns Industry Nod

KIMBERLY COOK, a professor at University of North Carolina Wilmington’s sociology and criminology department, received the Division on Critical Criminology & Social Justice Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Criminology.

The award, the highest honor of the division, recognizes sustained and distinguished scholarship, teaching, and service in critical criminology.

Cook was recognized for her scholarship and activism in the fields of violence against women, wrongful convictions, feminist criminology, restorative justice, and survivor criminology.

“Not only has Dr. Cook contributed as a scholar, but she has also contributed to social justice for marginalized groups and sets an example for critical criminologists,” the selection committee notes.

“I went to college as a single mother on welfare after surviving domestic violence. I know what being marginalized and exploited is like,” Cook says. “Pursuing social justice with my academic expertise as an available tool allows me to integrate my personal and professional commitments with humility and determination.

“I am honored to receive this award from my academic peers, and I’m deeply grateful to the many community partners who welcome my involvement. They earned this award too.”

The American Society of Criminology is an international organization whose members pursue scholarly, scientific, and professional knowledge concerning the measurement, etiology, consequences, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency.

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