Parul University Hosts ICGCV 2026, Bringing Global Experts Together to Advance Conversations on Criminology, Victimology and Justice 

Reinforcing its dedication to advancing globally relevant legal education and interdisciplinary research, Parul Institute of Law, Parul University, successfully hosted the International Conference on building safer future with solution oriented approaches in criminology and victimology (ICGCV 2026). The conference themes cover green criminology, digital crimes, mental health and criminological issues, restorative justice, crime, law and victim justice, policing etc. It was organised by ThinkJustice Foundation, India, in collaboration with the Critical Criminology Network of the British Society of Criminology, United Kingdom. The event gathered prominent academicians, policymakers, law enforcement professionals, legal experts, social reformers, and researchers from across the world. Serving as an international stage for dialogue, the conference explored today’s challenges in criminology, victimology, environmental fairness, and sustainable criminal justice systems, while fostering global collaboration towards making safer yet more welcoming, inclusive, and environmentally.

Held under the theme "Building Safer Futures: Solution-Oriented Approaches in Criminology and Victimology towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.", the conference reflected the growing need to merge environmental sustainability with criminal justice, victim protection and public policy. It brought together experts from academia, government, law enforcement, and civil society, the conference encouraged evidence based conversations around new legal and criminological pressures, while aligning with the bigger vision behind the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on peace, justice, strong institutions, environmental sustainability and inclusive societies.

The conference was graced by an eminent panel of national and international experts, including Mr. Bezwada Wilson Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and social activist, Mr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Senior IPS officer, Dr. Bhanu Prakash Nunna (Managing Director, ThinkJustice Foundation), Dr. Manikandan (Executive Director ThinkJustice Foundation), and Ruwan Uduwarage Perera, (Director, University of East London, United Kingdom). Also there was Prof. Avi Brisman (Honorary Professor, University of Newcastle, Australia), Prof. Nigel South Emeritus (Professor, University of Essex, United Kingdom), and Dr. Tammy Ayres (Associate Professor, University of Leicester, United Kingdom). Prof. Daniel Briggs (Professor Northumbria University United Kingdom), Ulf Christian Eiras Nordenstahl (Director, Law Programme, University of Flores, Argentina), and Dr. Suryaprakash Mishra (Associate Professor, National Law School of India University).

The distinguished gathering also featured Dr. Vineet Kapoor,(IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police Madhya Pradesh), Dr. Smita Dharmamer (Associate Director, Aangan Trust), Prof. Gorazd Meško (Head, Institute of Criminal Justice and Security, University of Maribor, Slovenia), Prof. Dr. Gema Maria Varona Martinez (President, World Society of Victimology), Mr. Nipun Saxena (Advocate, Supreme Court of India), Usman Suleiman Sarki (Associate Professor Federal University Dutse, Nigeria), Dr. Kwan-Lamar Blount-Hill (Assistant Professor, Arizona State University, USA), and Dr. Amit Thakre (Head Department of Criminology and Police Sciences, MBSTU, Bangladesh). The conference brought together knowledge from the university sphere of law enforcement, policy making, legal practice, and also social advocacy, and became the worldwide platform for sharing perspectives on justice, safeguarding victims, criminology research, environmental sustainability, and

Beyond scholarly debates, the conference opened real opportunities for students, researchers, legal professionals, law enforcement personnel, and policymakers to interact directly with internationally renowned experts through engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and cooperative exchanges. By encouraging cross-disciplinary conversations and worldwide academic partnerships, ICGCV 2026 helped to enhance research capability, while also encouraging innovative and practical paths towards crime prevention, victim support, environmental justice, and evidence based policy making.

A major highlight of the conference was its comprehensive academic programme, with keynote lectures, plenary sessions, technical paper presentations and also panel discussions. There was a pre-conference workshop designed to deepen the participants' understanding of what’s new in criminology and victimology. During the conference, experts explored a broad spectrum of contemporary topics, like green crimes, environmental justice, ecological victimisation, and victim rights, alongside restorative justice, cybercrime and policing reforms. There was also discussion on gender-based violence, human trafficking, artificial intelligence in criminal justice, and ways for community based crime prevention.

The conference also reinforced Parul University’s efforts to bridge academic research with real world implementation. Through the university’s existing partnership with the Vadodara Police Commissionerate, the university has been undertaking a community safety and security research initiative, with guidance from Prof. Gorazd Meško, who is at the University of Maribor, Slovenia. It is centered on community policing, public trust in law enforcement, police legitimacy, local safety concerns, and technology oriented crime prevention, that mirrors the university’s dedication to crafting workable, evidence backed solutions that help build safer and more

With participation from distinguished experts representing India, Australia, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Slovenia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, the United States, and Sri Lanka, the conference significantly strengthened Parul University’s international academic collaborations, while also promoting cross-border knowledge exchange, research, and best practices in criminology and victimology. The event reaffirmed the university’s dedication to building globally relevant academic platforms that encourage innovation, evidence led policymaking, and cooperative solutions for new legal, societal, and

Dr. Geetika Madan Patel, Vice President of Parul University, said, "At Parul University, we believe that dealing with current challenges requires interdisciplinary thinking, working alongside the wider world, and doing research that creates meaningful social impact. ICGCV 2026 reflects our commitment to bringing together internationally renowned scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to advance conversations around criminology, victimology, environmental justice, and sustainable development. Such platforms not only enhance academic excellence, but they also inspire innovative solutions that help in building safer, more inclusive and environment-friendly societies."

With the successful conclusion of ICGCV 2026, Parul University strengthened its position as a globally linked institution that keeps its commitment to excellence in legal education, research and cross border academic collaborations. By bringing together leading voices across continents to deliberate on the future of criminology, victimology, and sustainable justice, the conference underlined the university’s vision and reaffirmed that the goal is to support research with real impact, encourage international partnerships, and prepare the coming legal professionals who can handle complicated global problems with insight, empathy, and innovation.