Shaping Resilience and Understanding Risk: The Developmental and Cultural Criminology Lab
The Developmental and Cultural Criminology Lab, directed by Prof. Sophie D. Walsh, examines developmental, psychological, and cultural pathways to risk and resilience in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Prof. Walsh is a clinical psychologist and full professor in the Department of Criminology at Bar-Ilan University. Her research is internationally recognized for its contributions to the study of adolescent well-being, immigrant adaptation, identity formation, and the prevention of violence, crime, and substance use.
The lab’s research is situated at the intersection of criminology, psychology, and public health, with particular emphasis on the roles of identity processes, discrimination, and cultural belonging in shaping developmental outcomes. Prof. Walsh has extensive experience leading large-scale international collaborations, including in the WHO-affiliated Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, which spans more than 40 countries, and she has been the recipient of multiple national and international research grants.
The work conducted in the lab integrates cross-sectional and longitudinal methodologies, quantitative and qualitative approaches, and cross-cultural perspectives. This allows for the identification of both risk factors and protective processes that influence trajectories of crime, violence, and substance use among youth. The ultimate goal of the lab is to advance theoretical understanding while generating evidence that can inform culturally sensitive prevention and intervention strategies across diverse populations.
About Me
I am Prof. Sophie D. Walsh, Head of the Department of Criminology at Bar-Ilan University and a licensed clinical psychologist since 2001. I joined Bar-Ilan in 2007, and over the years I have had the privilege of supervising more than 60 M.A. students and over 15 Ph.D. and post-doctoral students, many of whom have gone on to successful academic and professional careers.
My research focuses on adolescence and emerging adulthood, with an emphasis on risk and resilience processes, identity development, and the role of cultural and social contexts in shaping trajectories of crime, violence, and substance use. I have published over 100 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals across criminology, psychology, and public health.
Since 2008, I have been an active member of the WHO-affiliated Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, where I have served as the Focus Group Leader on Violence and Injuries. This international collaboration has allowed me to contribute to comparative research across more than 40 countries, addressing critical issues in youth well-being and safety.
My work has been supported by competitive research grants from the Israel Science Foundation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science, Education and Technology, and the Israeli Anti-Drugs and Alcohol Authority, among others. These projects reflect my commitment to advancing knowledge that is both scientifically rigorous and socially relevant, with the goal of informing prevention and intervention strategies for youth at risk.