Ross Homel | |
---|---|
Born | 1950 or 1951 (age 73–74)[1] Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Alma mater | University of Sydney (MS by Research, 1971)[2] |
Occupation | criminologist |
Known for | extensive research into causes of crime and preventative measures |
Ross James Homel AO (born 1950 or 1951) is an Australian criminologist.[3][4]
He is best known for his extensive research where he theoretically analyses crime and applies scientific methods to develop and implement prevention and intervention strategies.[4]
Notably, his research is credited with the introduction of random breath testing for motorists in Australia.[3][5][6]
In 1992, Homel was appointed as the foundation professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University.[1] He had previously been a senior lecturer at the School of Behavioural Sciences at Macquarie University.[6]
From 1992 to 1995, Homel was the editor of Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology and from February 1994 to April 1999, he was a part-time commissioner with the Queensland Criminal Justice Commission which was established after the Fitzgerald Inquiry.[4] After Queensland politician Gordon Nuttall was found guilty of corruption, Homel called for another inquiry to investigate potential corruption.[7]
Homel has authored more than 200 books, articles and government reports.[2]
He frequently provides commentary in the media on crime-related matters, particularly on the issue of youth crime.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Homel's "Pathways to Prevention" initiative which he developed in partnership with Mission Australia won the 2004 National Crime and Violence Prevention Award.[4]
In the 2008 Australia Day Honours, Homel was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition for his service to education especially in the field of criminology.[15]
In 2008, Homel was named as a Queensland Great.[16]
In 2015, Brisbane newspaper The Courier-Mail listed Homel as one of Queensland's Top 50 "thinkers".[1]