I obtained the following degrees: BSocSc, BSocSc Hons, MSocSc (cum laude) and PhD, all in Criminology. My academic and research career started in 1997 at the Centre for Health Systems Research & Development (UFS) where I later served as Acting Director for two years. During this time I also lectured in Criminology and research methodology in the Development Studies and Sustainable Agriculture masters programmes. I took up a lecturing position in Criminology at the University of Pretoria in 2009 where I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2014, Associate Professor in 2017, and Professor in 2022. I was appointed Head of the Department of Criminology at UFS in 2023. To date I have (co-)authored 46 articles and book chapters, presented 38 papers at local and international conferences, authored 39 research reports, and supervised 44 master’s and doctoral students. My research focuses on risk and resilience in vulnerable populations, specifically related to children in conflict with the law and female offenders. I am the Editor-in-Chief of Acta Criminologica: African Journal of Criminology and Victimology.