Dr Nikki Rutter has been awarded the European Society of Criminology's Young Criminologist Award 2025.
Nikki received the award for her transformative research article "Explosive and Harmful Impulses", which examined child and adolescent-to-parent violence and abuse (CAPVA).
Transforming understanding of complex family harm
Nikki's research article challenges assumptions about CAPVA, a particularly overlooked form of family harm
Taking a very different approach from previous family violence studies, Nikki focused on how participants talk about and understand harm.
Through diaries, interviews and creative workshops, Nikki enabled parents and children experiencing or instigating CAPVA to share their experiences.
This participatory approach generated insights that more traditional research methods would struggle to achieve.
Her work reveals the complex reasons behind children's harmful behaviours and challenges standard intervention models focused on adult-perpetrated violence.
Real-World Impact
Following publication, Nikki's research quickly influenced professional practice across the UK.
Jane Griffiths, Director of CAPA First Response support platform described it as "a giant leap in the right direction for everyone working with families experiencing these behaviours".
Within 12 months of publication, Nikki provided training to over 150 practitioners through organisations including: Respect, the Making Research Count Consortium, and CAPA First Response network.
The uptake demonstrates both theoretical innovation and practical relevance of Nikki's work.
Research Excellence
The European Society of Criminology's award committee comprised established criminologists working in universities in Spain, England and the Netherlands.
They recognised Nikki's innovative distinctions between intentional and non-intentional violence by children, and the ways her work is transforming understanding of complex family dynamics.
The committee also praised Nikki's refusal to oversimplify behaviours and instead position violence within broader contexts including neurodivergence and trauma.
Dr Rutter's work reflects Durham's continued commitment to fostering research that transforms understanding and practice. Our criminology programme attracts students passionate about social change.
