Rural Criminology: Research, Trends and Future Directions
Rural Criminology: Research, Trends and Future Directions

Summary/Abstract: This article provides a comprehensive overview of rural criminology as a dynamic and evolving subfield within thebroader discipline of criminology. It traces the historical marginalisation of research into rural crime, and it highlights the growingscholarly recognition of rural contexts as distinct and criminologically significant. Drawing upon a comprehensive literaturereview and the authors’ extensive expertise, the article explores the key conceptual frameworks, methodological challenges, andtheoretical developments that shape the field. It emphasises the importance of place, community, and socio-cultural dynamicsin understanding rural crime, victimisation, and justice. The article also examines the internationalisation of rural criminology,showcasing its expansion across diverse global contexts and its intersections with green and Southern criminologies. By identifyingemerging research directions and advocating for context-sensitive approaches, the authors underscore rural criminology’s potentialto enrich broader criminological theory and practice. This work contributes to the positioning of rural criminology as a vital andincreasingly influential area of inquiry in contemporary criminological scholarship.

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