# Centre for Criminology, University of Hong Kong **Wikidata**: [Q136836864](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136836864) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-for-criminology-university-of-hong-kong ## Summary The Centre for Criminology at the University of Hong Kong is a dedicated research institute focused on conducting systematic investigation in the field of criminology. As part of one of Asia's leading universities, it operates as a research organization whose primary purpose is generating new knowledge through research, distinct from teaching-focused academic departments. ## Key Facts - **Classification**: Research institute (ResearchOrganization per schema.org) - **Location**: Hong Kong - **Parent Organization**: University of Hong Kong - **Country**: People's Republic of China - **Field of Work**: Criminology - **Language Used**: English - **Website**: https://crime.hku.hk/ - **ISNI Identifier**: 0000000417654043 - **Wikidata Reference**: Q31855 - **Geographic Identification**: Geonames feature code S.ITTR applies to research institutes in geographic databases ## FAQs ### Q: What type of organization is the Centre for Criminology, University of Hong Kong? A: It is classified as a research institute—an organization whose primary purpose is conducting research rather than teaching or commercial activities. Unlike universities that combine teaching and research, research institutes exist specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. ### Q: How is the Centre for Criminology different from a university department? A: As a research institute, the Centre focuses exclusively on research activities in criminology rather than granting degrees or providing undergraduate education. This dedicated focus allows researchers to pursue investigation without the teaching obligations that divide attention in traditional academic departments. ### Q: What is the Centre's relationship to the University of Hong Kong? A: The Centre for Criminology is a research unit within the University of Hong Kong, with the university serving as its parent organization. It operates as a specialized research entity embedded within the larger university structure. ### Q: What discipline does the Centre specialize in? A: The Centre focuses specifically on criminology—the scientific study of crime, criminal behavior, criminal justice systems, and related phenomena. This distinguishes it from broader research institutes that may cover multiple academic disciplines. ### Q: In what language does the Centre operate? A: The Centre for Criminology uses English as its primary language, as indicated by the website and institutional documentation. ## Why It Matters The Centre for Criminology at the University of Hong Kong represents a critical infrastructure for advancing knowledge in a field of significant societal importance. Criminology research addresses fundamental questions about crime, justice, and social order—issues that directly affect public safety, policy development, and the functioning of legal systems. As a dedicated research institute rather than a teaching department, the Centre can concentrate resources and talent purely on investigation, pursuing research that might not fit within traditional university timelines constrained by academic calendars and teaching responsibilities. This organizational structure allows researchers to tackle complex, long-term studies on crime patterns, criminal behavior, rehabilitation strategies, and justice system effectiveness. The Centre's location in Hong Kong positions it to contribute unique perspectives on criminological issues in the Asia-Pacific region, where different legal systems, cultural contexts, and developmental trajectories shape crime and justice dynamics. Research produced by the Centre can inform evidence-based policy decisions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and beyond. In an era where crime continues to evolve—with new challenges related to cybercrime, transnational organized crime, and emerging threats—dedicated research institutes like this Centre serve as essential engines for developing understanding and solutions that governments, law enforcement agencies, and communities need to address contemporary challenges. ## Notable For - Operating as a dedicated research institute focused exclusively on criminology research - Being part of the University of Hong Kong, one of Asia's leading research universities - Contributing to the global network of 41 Wikipedia language editions covering research institute concepts - Using English as the primary operational language, facilitating international collaboration - Representing the research institute organizational model in the field of social sciences ## Body ### Organizational Classification The Centre for Criminology, University of Hong Kong is formally classified as a research institute—a distinct organizational form in the landscape of knowledge-producing institutions. This classification places it within a category differentiated from universities, which combine teaching and research functions, and from commercial companies that pursue research for business purposes. The Centre exists purely to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation in criminology. The entity is recognized across multiple knowledge organization systems. It maps to schema.org/ResearchOrganization for structured data purposes, and carries the Wikidata identifier Q31855. The ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) 0000000417654043 provides unique identification for the organization in international databases. ### Institutional Context The Centre operates as a research unit under the University of Hong Kong, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Asia. This parent relationship provides institutional backing while allowing the Centre to maintain its dedicated focus on research rather than teaching obligations. Geographically, the Centre is located in Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. This positioning gives the Centre a unique perspective on criminological issues in a jurisdiction that operates under different legal traditions than mainland China, combining common law elements with local ordinances. ### Research Focus The Centre's field of work is specifically criminology—the scientific study of crime, criminals, criminal behavior, victimization, and the criminal justice system. This specialization distinguishes it from broader research organizations that may cover multiple disciplines. The Centre's dedicated focus allows researchers to develop deep expertise and conduct sustained investigation into criminological phenomena. ### Operational Details The Centre maintains an online presence through its website at https://crime.hku.hk/, providing information about its research activities, publications, and events. English serves as the primary language for the Centre's operations, facilitating engagement with the international academic community and ensuring accessibility for global collaboration. ### Relationship to Research Institute Concept As a research institute, the Centre embodies the characteristics that define this organizational form. Unlike scientific societies or learned societies, which are membership-based organizations, the Centre functions as an operational entity conducting hands-on research investigation. It differs from think tanks in its disciplinary focus—while think tanks primarily conduct policy-oriented research, the Centre pursues fundamental inquiry in criminology. The Centre represents the application of the research institute model to the social sciences, demonstrating how dedicated research organizations can operate within university structures to advance knowledge in specific fields. This model allows for the concentration of resources and expertise on criminological research without the distractions of teaching responsibilities or commercial pressures.