Parul University is proud to introduce Prof. Gorazd Meško as an International Mentor under the University’s flagship Mentor-Mentee (M2) Program. A globally respected academic leader in Criminology, Policing, Crime Prevention, and Criminal Justice Studies, Prof. Meško’s association represents a significant step forward in Parul University’s vision of strengthening international academic engagement, research mentorship, and evidence-based institutional innovation.
Prof. Meško is a distinguished faculty member at the University of Maribor, Slovenia, one of the country’s leading public research universities known for academic innovation, international collaboration, and excellence in social sciences. He also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Parul University, a role he has held since August 2025.
Adding to this milestone, Prof. Meško’s visit to Parul University created a rare and valuable opportunity for students, faculty, and researchers to engage in direct academic interaction, structured mentoring, and interdisciplinary research planning.
A Globally Recognised Leader in Criminology and Policing Studies
Prof. Gorazd Meško is internationally recognised for his extensive academic contributions and leadership in criminology. He has served as the President of the European Society of Criminology (2017-2019), a role that reflects both his scholarly standing and his influence in shaping research agendas and criminology discourse across Europe and beyond.
His work is particularly respected for its relevance to real-world policing, community safety, criminal justice legitimacy, and crime prevention, making his mentorship highly aligned with Parul University’s research priorities and emerging institutional initiatives.
Core Research Areas to Be Highlighted During His Mentorship
Prof. Meško’s academic work spans a broad and interdisciplinary spectrum of criminology and criminal justice studies.
His core research areas include:
● Criminology and Crime Prevention
● Policing and Police Legitimacy
● Local Safety and Security (Urban and Rural)
● Community Policing
● Prison Studies and Penology
● Legitimacy of Criminal Justice Institutions
● Victimology and Fear of Crime
● Environmental / Green Criminology
● Cybercrime and Cyber-victimisation
● Comparative and International Criminology
These themes strongly align with contemporary global priorities, including public safety, governance, institutional trust, and technology-driven crime.
Key Publications and International Research Projects
Prof. Meško’s credibility is reinforced by an extensive record of scholarly publications and major international research collaborations. His published work is widely cited in global criminology, policing research, and criminal justice policy literature.
Key Publications
Some of his major publications include:
● European Sourcebook of Crime and Criminal Justice Statistics (6th Edition, 2021)
● Rural Criminology in Global Perspective (Bristol University Press, 2025)
● Trust and Legitimacy in Criminal Justice: European Perspectives (Springer, 2015)
● Handbook on Policing in Central and Eastern Europe (Springer, 2013)
High-Impact Journals
His research has appeared in or contributed to internationally recognised journals such as:
● European Journal of Criminology
● Policing: An International Journal
● Criminal Justice and Behaviour
● Nature Human Behaviour
● The Prison Journal
Major International and EU-Funded Projects
Prof. Meško has also contributed to several large-scale, policy-relevant projects, including:
● URBIS – Urban Security Management in Europe (European Commission)
● YOUPREV – Prevention of Youth Violence in Europe (European Commission)
● ARIEL – Organised Crime & Legitimate Economy (European Commission)
● Water Crimes (European Commission)
● PADS+ (Cambridge University, UK)
● ISRD4 – International Self-Report Delinquency Study
These projects demonstrate his ability to bridge academic research with institutional practice, policymaking, and international frameworks.
Awards and International Recognition
Prof. Meško’s academic contributions have been acknowledged through several prestigious recognitions, including:
● Ralph Weisheit Lifetime Achievement Award – American Society of Criminology (2025)
● G.O.W. Mueller Award for International Criminal Justice (2024)
● Freda Adler Distinguished Scholar Award – American Society of Criminology (2022)
● Excellence in Science Award – Slovenian Research Agency (2020)
● University of Maribor Research & Teaching Excellence Award (2022)
● Zois Award for Excellence in Social Sciences – Government of Slovenia (2014)
These honours reflect global recognition across academic and professional criminology communities.
Europe-Centric Expertise with Global Relevance
While Prof. Meško’s work is strongly rooted in European criminology and policing systems, its relevance extends far beyond the region. His research is widely referenced for its evidence-based approach to:
● Police legitimacy and procedural justice
● Community policing effectiveness
● Prison staff legitimacy and institutional trust
● Comparative criminology across European and post-conflict societies
● Environmental and water-related crimes
● Youth cybercrime and cyber-victimisation
● Criminal justice alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
His work has informed evidence-based policing and community safety policies in Slovenia and across Europe, through collaborations with police institutions, prison administrations, and government ministries.
Strengthening Parul University’s Research Vision Through the M2 Program
Parul University’s Mentor-Mentee (M2) Program is designed to connect experienced international researchers and academic leaders with the University’s students and faculty, enabling personalised guidance beyond traditional classroom instruction.
Through this mentorship model, Parul University aims to accelerate research capacity building, foster global academic exposure, and support the development of high-quality, publication-oriented scholarship.
Expected Outcomes of the M2 Program
For students, the program supports:
● Improved research skills and academic clarity
● Exposure to international methodologies
● Stronger confidence through personalised mentoring
For faculty, the program enables:
● Guidance in developing globally aligned research agendas
● Collaboration opportunities through international networks
● Improved research design and publication strategy
Overall, the M2 Program strengthens academic visibility, credibility, and long-term institutional research growth.
Prof. Meško’s Visit to Parul University: A Multi-Layered Academic Programme
Prof. Meško’s upcoming campus visit is structured as a blended programme combining academic lectures, research meetings, institutional planning, and field engagement. It will include:
● Inauguration of the Centre for Evidence-Based Policing and Social Innovation (CEBPSI)
● Strategic discussions on the centre’s governance, roadmap, and interdisciplinary integration
● Expert lectures and thematic talks for students, faculty, and researchers
● Closed-door research meetings with the Social Science Research Team (SSRT), Science Research Team (SRT), and the Research Development Cell (RDC)
● Faculty-level interactions across Law, Social Work, Liberal Arts, Engineering & Technology, Design, Medicine, and Neuroscience
● Local village and community visits coordinated with the Social Responsiveness Cell
● Field exposure visits, including interactions with police officers and Commissionerate-level stakeholders
This deliberate blend of classroom learning, research planning, and real-world criminological observation is designed to make the engagement outcome-oriented and institution-building.
Flagship Events During the Visit
The itinerary highlights several flagship academic and institutional events that merit special attention:
1. Launch of CEBPSI
The opening of the Centre for Evidence-Based Policing and Social Innovation (CEBPSI) is a key institutional milestone, aligned with Parul University’s vision of supporting research-driven public safety innovation.
2. Expert Talk Series by Prof. Gorazd Meško
Prof. Meško will deliver three core lectures:
● “From Green (Environmental) to Rural Criminology – Slovenian Experiences in International Criminology Research”
● “Safety and Security in Local Communities – Scientific, Policymaking and Practical Perspectives”
● “Causation of Crime: Interplay of Society, Opportunity, and Control”
3. High-Level Academic Interaction
His visit will also include academic engagement alongside senior judicial and policy stakeholders, strengthening the University’s practical policy linkages.
4. Community and Village-Based Learning
Community exposure programmes will connect criminological theory with ground realities in rural safety, community dynamics, and policing challenges.
Interdisciplinary Engagement Across Faculties
Prof. Meško will directly engage with a broad academic network at Parul University, including:
● Faculty of Law
● Faculty of Social Work
● Faculty of Liberal Arts
● Faculty of Engineering & Technology (AI, Robotics, Drone and Innovation Labs)
● Faculty of Design
● Faculty of Medicine and Neuroscience
● Forensic Science and Criminal Justice
● Research Development Cell (RDC)
● Centre for International Relations & Research (CIRR)
This interdisciplinary approach reflects the modern reality of criminology and policing research where law, technology, behavioural sciences, public health, and social systems converge.
Long-Term Vision and Expected Outcomes of the Visit
Parul University expects the visit to deliver strategic outcomes that go beyond a short-term academic event. Key expected outcomes include:
1. Functional launch and academic anchoring of CEBPSI, including guidance on evidence-based policing models, POP “60 Steps” adaptation, and interdisciplinary governance
2. Strengthening of research pipelines, covering analytics-driven crime studies, rural and environmental criminology, and policy-oriented outputs such as white papers and policing briefs
3. Capacity enhancement of faculty and researchers, enabling internationally aligned and locally relevant criminology and policing research
These outcomes reflect Parul University’s commitment to converting global mentorship into long-term institutional capability.
Mentorship Beyond the Visit
The mentorship under the M2 Program extends beyond the physical campus visit. Prof. Meško’s mentorship commitment is planned for a minimum of one year, ensuring continuity in academic guidance, research planning, and the development of collaborative outputs.
A Strategic Collaboration for Parul University’s Global Academic Vision
Prof. Meško’s mentorship aligns strongly with Parul University’s global vision of becoming a research-driven, internationally connected institution. His engagement supports the University’s commitment to integrating global knowledge with local relevance, particularly in emerging and socially critical domains such as policing, criminology, and social innovation.
Through this collaboration, Parul University aims to strengthen its position as a significant research university in evidence-based policing and community safety, with long-term potential to support policing institutions through research-driven crime management strategies.
Conclusion
The appointment of Prof. Gorazd Meško as International Mentor under the Mentor-Mentee (M2) Program and his campus visit marks a meaningful milestone in Parul University’s academic and research journey. It reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to international excellence, interdisciplinary research, and socially relevant academic leadership.
As Parul University prepares to inaugurate the Centre for Evidence-Based Policing and Social Innovation (CEBPSI), Prof. Meško’s mentorship will serve as a critical foundation for building globally aligned research capability, strengthening institutional credibility, and creating long-term impact in criminology, criminal justice, and public safety innovation.
