Professor Manuel Eisner

Professor Manuel Eisner is Wolfson Professor of Criminology and Deputy Director at the Institute of Criminology. He is also the director of its Violence Research Centre, a group of researchers dedicated to the understanding and prevention of all forms of interpersonal violence globally.

Manuel researches the variation in levels of violence between societies and over the course of human history, the psychological and social mechanisms that account for human aggressive behaviour from childhood to adulthood, and the combination of prevention, intervention and control that is best suited to reduce interpersonal violence in different societies across the world. His current work includes a collaboration with partners in eight low- and middle-income countries (Jamaica, Ghana, Romania, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines) on the links between adversity and violence against women during pregnancy and subsequent child outcomes (www.vrc.crim.cam.ac.uk/vrcresearch/EBLS). It aims to contribute to strengthening child protection and violence prevention strategies by generating locally relevant knowledge, facilitating knowledge exchange between experts across societies in the global South, supporting early career researchers, and supporting the work of international organisations such as WHO and the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children.

Across the world, interpersonal violence over-proportionally affects poor, marginalised and disadvantaged groups - limiting life chances and aggravating inequalities. Manuel’s work on how to better address violence against women and children as well as community violence can positively impact the lives of the world’s poorest 3 billion people. His research also highlights the need for interdisciplinary research that links different components of sustainable development including mental well-being, urban planning, education, gender equality, and access to justice for all.

His interest in advancing interdisciplinary research with a strong emphasis on capacity development is a major motivation to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals through the participation in CGC.