Publications

The Research Team and others have published a number of academic papers, research reports and digests related to or using data from the Edinburgh Study. Academic papers can be accessed in electronic journals with the appropriate subscription. Research reports and digests are generally freely available to download as PDF files.

2024

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2024). Ministerial Policy briefing: Evidence in support of raising the minimum age of responsibility in Scotland. Click to download [PDF]

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2024). Scottish Prison Service policy briefing: Understanding pathways into and out of prison. Click to download [PDF]

Burman, M., McAra, L., McVie, S., & Piacentini L. (2024). Criminal Justice in Crisis: What must be done now? What should be done in the medium term? What could be done over the long term?. Click to download [PDF]

2023

Matthews, B., & McVie, S. (2023). The changing role of data in crime, criminal justice and criminology. In A. Liebling, S. Maruna and L. McAra (Eds). Oxford Handbook of Criminology, Seventh Edition. Oxford University Press.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2023). Raising the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility: Lessons from the Scottish Experience. Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/10345329.2023.2272362

McAra, L. (2023). Youth justice in an age of uncertainty: Principles, performance and prospects. In A. Liebling, S. Maruna and L. McAra (Eds). Oxford Handbook of Criminology, Seventh Edition. Oxford University Press.

2022

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2022). Causes and Impact of Offending and Criminal Justice Pathways: Follow-up of the Edinburgh Study Cohort at Age 35.  Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh. Click to download [PDF]

2021

Jahanshahi, B., McVie, S., & Murray, K. (2021). ‘Like Mother, like child? The intergenerational transmission of maternal offending among a Scottish cohort of pre-adolescent children’. Criminology and Criminal Justice. https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958211056177

Jahanshahi, B., Murray, K., & McVie, S. (2021). ‘ACEs, places and inequality: Understanding the effects of adverse childhood experiences and poverty on offending in childhood’.  British Journal of Criminology, 62(3): 751-772. https://academic.oup.com/bjc/article/62/3/751/6362814 JOINT WINNER OF THE 2021 EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING RESEARCH SCIENCE PAPER

2018

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2018). Transformations in youth crime and justice across Europe: Evidencing the case for diversion. In Goldson, B. (Ed.) Juvenile Justice in Europe: Past, Present and Future. London: Routledge.

2017

Burman, M., & McVie, S. (2017). Youth crime and justice in Scotland. In Decker, S. H., & Marteache, N. (Eds.) International Handbook of Juvenile Justice. Springer International Publishing, pp. 371-394.

Liebling, A., Maruna, S., & McAra, L. (eds.) (2017). The Oxford handbook of criminology, 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Liebling, A., Maruna, S., & McAra, L. (2017). The new vision.In Liebling, A., Maruna, S., & McAra, L. (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Maguire, M., & McVie, S. (2017). Crime data and criminal statistics: A critical reflection. In Liebling, A., Maruna, S., & McAra, L. (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

McAra, L. (2017). An era of compassionate justice? Assessing a decade of SNP governance. In Hassan, G., vMitchell, J. (Eds.) A Nation Changed? The SNP and Scotland 10 Years on. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

McAra, L. (2017). Youth justice. In Liebling, A., Maruna, S., & McAra, L. (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

McAra, L. (2017). Can criminologists change the world? Critical reflections on the politics, performance and effects of criminal justice. British Journal of Criminology, 57(4), 767-788. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azw015

McAra, L.  (2017). Criminological knowledge and the politics of impact: Implications for researching juvenile justice. In Armstrong, S., Blaustein, J., &  Henry, A. (Eds.) Reflexivity and Criminal Justice: Intersections of Policy, Practice and Research. London: Palgrave.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2017). Life-course and developmental criminology: Innovations, impacts and applications. In Liebling, A., Maruna, S., & McAra, L. (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2017). The shrinking youth justice population: A change in behaviour or a change in the system?  Scottish Justice Matters, 5(1): 38-39. Download available here.

McVie, S. (2017). Social order: Crime and justice in Scotland. In McCrone, D. (Ed.) The New Sociology of Scotland. Los Angeles: Sage.

2016

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2016). Understanding youth violence: The mediating effects of gender, poverty and vulnerability. Journal of Criminal Justice, 45, 71-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2016.02.011

2015

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2015). The case for diversion and minimum necessary intervention. In Goldson, B., & Muncie, J. (Eds.) Youth Crime and Justice, 2nd edition. London: Sage.

McAra, L., McVie, S., & Mellon, M. (2015). Poverty matters. Scottish Justice Matters, 3(3): 2-3. Download available here.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2015). The reproduction of poverty. Scottish Justice Matters, 3(3): 4-5. Download available here.

2014

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2014). The Scottish Juvenile Justice System: Policy and Practice. In Winterdyk, J. (Ed.) Juvenile Justice Systems: International Perspectives, 3rd edition. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2014). Maximum diversion, minimum intervention: An evidence base for Kilbrandon. Scottish Justice Matters, 2(3): 21-22. Download available here.

McVie, S. (2014). The impact of bullying perpetration and victimization on later violence and psychological distress: A study of resilience amongst a Scottish youth cohort. Journal of School Violence, 13(1): 39-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2013.841586

Aston, E. V. (2014). Are risk factors for drug use and offending similar during the teenage years? International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(4): 396-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.11.002

2013

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2013). Delivering justice for children and young people: Key messages from the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime. In Dockley, A. (Ed.), Justice for Young People: Papers by Winners of the Research Medal 2013 (pp. 3-14). London: Howard League for Penal Reform.

2012

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2012). Negotiated order: The groundwork for a theory of offending pathways. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 12(4), 347-376. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895812455810

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2012). Critical debates in developmental and life-course criminology. In Maguire, M., Morgan, R., & Reiner, R. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 5^th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

2011

McVie, S. (2011). Alternative models of youth justice: lessons from Scotland and Northern Ireland. Journal of Children’s Services, 6(2), 106-114. https://doi.org/10.1108/17466661111149402

2010

McVie, S. (2010). Gang membership and knife carrying: Findings from the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research. Download available here.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2010). Youth justice? The impact of agency contact on desistance from offending (reprint of journal article). In Farrall, S., Hough, M., Maruna, S., & Sparks, R. (Eds.) Escape Routes: Contemporary Perspectives on Life after Punishment. Abingdon: Routledge.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2010). Youth crime and justice in Scotland. In Croall, H., Mooney, G., & Munro, M. (Eds.), Criminal Justice in Contemporary Scotland. London: Willan Publishing.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2010). Youth crime and justice: Key messages from the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 10(2), 179-209. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895809360971

2009

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2009). Youth justice? The impact of system contact on patterns of desistance from offending. (reprint of original article published in European Journal of Criminology). In Goldson, B., & Muncie, J. (Eds.), Youth Crime and Juvenile Justice. London: Sage Publications Ltd.

McAra, L. (2009). La Justice de Mineurs en Ecosse: Pressions Convergentes et Singularités Culturelles. Déviance et Société, 33(3), 383-398. https://doi.org/10.3917/ds.333.0383

McVie, S. (2009). Self-report delinquency surveys in European countries: Britain and Ireland. In Zaubermann, R. (Ed.), Self-Reported Crime and Deviance Studies in Europe: Current State of Knowledge and Review of Use. Brussels: VUB Press.

McVie, S. (2009). Criminal careers and young people. In Barry, M., & McNeill, F. (Eds.), Youth Offending and Youth Justice: Research Highlights in Social Work. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

2008

Barker, E., Arseneault, L., Brendgen, M., Fontaine, N., & Maughan, B. (2008). Joint development of bullying and victimization in adolescence: Relations to delinquency and self-harm. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(9), 1030-1038. https://doi.org/10.1097/CHI.ObO13e31817eec98

2007

McAra, L. (2007). Welfarism in crisis: Crime control and penal practice in post-devolution Scotland. In Keating, M. (Ed.), Scottish Social Democracy: Progressive Ideas for Public Policy. Brussels: P.I.E. Peter Lang.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2007). Youth justice? The impact of system contact on patterns of desistance from offending. European Journal of Criminology, 4(3), 315-345. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477370807077186

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2007). No way out? Children in Scotland Magazine, 7, 8-9.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2007). Criminal justice transitions. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 14. Download available here.

McVie, S. (2007). Animal abuse amongst young people aged 13 to 17: Trends, trajectories and theoretical explanations. Policy Report for the RSPCA. Horsham: RSPCA. Download available here.

Smith, D.J. (2007). Crime and the life course. In Maguire, M., Morgan, R., & Reiner, R. (Eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Smith, D. J., & Ecob, R. (2007). An investigation of causal links between victimization and offending in adolescents. British Journal of Sociology, 58(4), 633-659. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-4446.2007.00169.x

2006

McAra, L. (2006). Welfare in crisis? Youth justice in Scotland. In Goldson, B., &  Muncie, J. (Eds.), Comparative Youth Justice. London: Sage.

Smith, D.J. (2006). School Experience and Delinquency at Ages 13 to 16. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 13. Download available here.

Smith, D.J. (2006). Social Inclusion and Early Desistance from Crime. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 12. Download available here.

McVie, S., & Norris, P.A. (2006). The Effect of Neighbourhoods on Adolescent Property Offending. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 11. Download available here.

McVie, S., & Norris, P.A. (2006). Neighbourhood Effects on Youth Delinquency and Drug Use. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 10. Download available here.

2005

Bradshaw, P. (2005). Terrors and young teams: Youth gangs and delinquency in Edinburgh. In Decker, S., & Weerman, F. (Eds.), Youth Gangs in Europe and Troublesome Youth Groups. Oxford: AltaMira Press. **Awarded Division of International Criminology of the American Society of Criminology Book Award 2006**

McAra, L. (2005). Negotiated order: Gender, youth transitions and crime. British Society of Criminology, e-Journal, vol. 6. Download available here.

McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2005). The usual suspects? Street-life, young offenders and the police. Criminal Justice, 5(1), 5-36. https://doi.org/10.1177/1466802505050977

McVie, S. (2005). Patterns of deviance underlying the age-crime curve: The long term evidence, British Society of Criminology, e-Journal, vol. 7. Download available here.

Smith, D. J. (2005). The effectiveness of the juvenile justice system. Criminal Justice, 5(2), 181-195. https://doi.org/10.1177/1466802505053497

McVie, S., & Holmes, L. (2005). Family Functioning and Substance Use at Ages 12 to 17. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 9. Download available here.

Smith, D.J., & Bradshaw, P. (2005).Gang Membership and Teenage Offending. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 8. Download available here.

McVie, S., & Bradshaw, P. (2005). Adolescent Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use at Ages 12 to 17. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 7. Download available here.

McAra, L. (2005). Patterns of Referral to the Children’s Hearings Systems for Drugs and Alcohol Misuse. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 6. Download available here.

2004

McAra, L. (2004). Pre-inquiry seminar on youth justice in Scotland: Report and recommendations. Scottish Parliament, Justice 2 Committee: Youth Justice Inquiry.

McAra, L. (2004). The cultural and institutional dynamics of transformation: Youth justice in Scotland and England and Wales. Cambrian Law Review, 35, 23-54.

McAra, L. (2004). Youth crime and justice in Scotland: Perception and reality. Children, Young People and Crime in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Fourth Biennial Conference: Perception and Realities, Conference Report.

Smith, D.J. (2004). The Links between Victimization and Offending. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 5. Download available here.

McAra, L. (2004). Truancy, School Exclusion and Substance Misuse. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 4. Download available here.

Smith, D.J. (2004). Parenting and Delinquency at Ages 12 to 15. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 3. Download available here.

Smith, D.J., & McAra, L. (2004). Gender and Youth Offending. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest No. 2. Download available here.

2003

Bradshaw, P. (2003). Underage drinking and the illegal purchase of alcohol, Scottish Executive, Social Research Report.

McVie, S. (2003). The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime: Preliminary findings on cruelty towards animals. Special Report Commissioned by Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Download available here.

McVie, S. (2003). Gender differences in adolescent development and violence: Findings from the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime in Dunkel, F., & Drenkhahn, K. (Eds.), Youth Violence: New Patterns and Local Responses – Experiences in East and West. Munchengladbach: Forum Verlag Godesberg GmbH.

Smith, D.J., & McVie, S. (2003). Theory and method in the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime. British Journal of Criminology, 43(1), 169-195. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/43.1.169

2002

Flint, J. F. (2002). Social housing agencies and the governance of anti-social behaviour. Housing Studies, 17(4), 619-637. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673030220144376

McAra, L. (2002). Scottish juvenile justice system: Policy and practice. In Winterdyk, J. (Ed.), Juvenile Justice Systems: International Perspectives. 2nd edition. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press.

McAra, L. (2002). Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose’: L’evolution du système de justice pour les mineurs en Ecosse. Déviance et Société, 26, 367-386. https://doi.org/10.3917/ds.263.0367

McVie, S. (2002). Drifting into substance misuse: Youth transitions and family dynamics. It’s A Family Affair: Report of the London Drug Policy Forum Conference. Download available here.

Smith, D.J. (2002). Crime and the Life Course. In Maguire, M., Morgan, R., & Reiner, R. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook Of Criminology, 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

2001

Smith, D.J. (2001). Youth, Parenting and Crime. Children in Scotland Magazine.

Smith, D.J., McVie, S., Woodward, R., Shute, J., & McAra, L. (2001). The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime: Key findings at ages 12 and 13. The Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime, Research Digest no. 1. Download available here.

1999

Smith, D.J. (1999). Less Crime without More Punishment. Edinburgh Law Review, 3, 294-316. https://doi.org/10.3366/elr.1999.3.3.294

Smith, D.J. (1999). Negotiated Order: A Unifying Principle for Parenting and Juvenile Justice. Pt 1, Scolag Legal Journal, November.

Smith, D.J. (1999). Negotiated Order: A Unifying Principle for Parenting and Juvenile Justice. Pt 2, Scolag Legal Journal, December.