ABOUT US
The Western Society of Criminology (WSC) is a regional professional society devoted to the scientific study of crime and attracts criminology scholars, students, government officials and public and private practitioners from around the world. This professional association holds an annual meeting each year, usually in February. The location of the meeting changes each year to share the burden of travel equally among the membership. In selecting conference facilities, the Board extends considerable effort to find sites that are accessible by a number of airlines, serviced by a major international airport, are centrally located in the region, and reflect members preferences. As such, we regularly shift the meeting from Southern, Northern, and Island destinations (e.g. Hawai'i).
Membership
Annual membership fees are due in February. Renewal corresponds with the annual meeting. The current fee is $45.00. Members receive a reduced conference fee, annual newsletter, and preference regarding paper selection for presentation during the annual conference.
For information about Student Chapters
please click here.
Board Members
Board Members hold one of four positions: officers, executive counselors, counselors-at-large, and editors. Officers and executive counselors are elected to three-year terms, counselors are annual presidential appointments, and editorial positions are board appointments for three-year terms.
Constitution & By-laws
WSC activity is governed by two documents. For copies of the Constitution and By-laws please choose it in either (pdf) or html.
To view answers to frequently asked questions click here.
Awards
The WSC supports and encourages scholarship and service in support of the field of criminology and criminal justice. The awards link describes the varied awards given by the WSC as well as past recipients. These include the:
- Paul Tappan Award for outstanding contributions to the field of criminology,
- Joseph D. Lohman Award for outstanding service to the Western Society of Criminology,
- June Morrison-Tom Gitchoff Founders Award for significant improvement of the quality of justice,
- W.E.B. DuBois Award for significant contributions to the field of racial and ethnic issues in Criminology,
- Western Society of Criminology Fellows Award conferred upon individuals generally associated with the Western region who have made important contributions to the field of Criminology and who may not be members of WSC,
- President's Award for contributions to the field of criminology and positive influence on the current president's career, and the
- Miki Vohryzek-Bolden Student Paper Award is granted to students who submit their manuscripts to an annual juried competition.
Nominations are sought for these awards. Nomination letters should be sent to:
Finn-Aage Esbensen
Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
330 Lucas Hall
University of Missouri-St. Louis
One University Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63121-4400
or via email to:
esbensen@umsl.edu.
Nominations are due by May 1, 2008
For general inquiries about the WSC, please contact: C/O Sue Escobar
Secretary/ Treasurer
Western Society of Criminology
California State University, Sacramento
Division of Criminal Justice
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6085
Ph: 916.278.6437
FAX: 916.278.7692
Updated 2.21.08
