Mark de Rond honoured in research impact and engagement awards

Mark received his honour at a ceremony on 4 February from Professor Sir John Aston, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Cambridge.

The Awards, says the University of Cambridge, “recognise outstanding achievement, innovation and creativity in devising and implementing ambitious engagement and impact plans which have the potential to create significant economic, social and cultural impact from, and engagement with, research”. Organised by the University of Cambridge Engagement, Knowledge and Impact team, the Awards include categories for Early Career Researcher and Collaboration in addition to the Established Academic category.

Unique insight and bold ethnographic research

In its award announcement, the University of Cambridge said:

To catch a predator: when righteous fury becomes exploitation

Over 4 years of embedded fieldwork, Mark de Rond gained unique insight into the world of paedophile hunters. De Rond’s bold ethnographic research sheds light on the complex motivations behind the extreme practice of baiting and publicly exposing suspected paedophiles. Working alongside police, the Home Office, CPS and NCA, insights from de Rond’s research led to changes in police policy and now, via an award-winning global hit documentary and widely read book, his research is helping the public grapple with complex moral questions mobilised by citizen activism.

The University of Cambridge

From a journal article to a book to a documentary film

Mark’s research into paedophile hunting includes a 2022 academic journal article published in the Academy of Management Journal entitled To catch a predator: the lived experience of extreme practices, and a book published last year by Cambridge University Press entitled Dark Justice: Inside the World of Paedophile Hunters.

In addition, Mark is interviewed extensively in a documentary film – Predators – which outlines the rise and fall of the controversial NBC Dateline television series To Catch a Predator in the US. The film premiered last year at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where it was nominated for Best US Documentary, and the documentary has a special sold-out screening in Cambridge on 16 February followed by a special evening screening at which 16 policy makers and community members meet at Cambridge Judge to discuss solutions to the various issues raised.

As Mark wrote to the special invitees:  “Our hope is that you’ll engage with others in a brief discussion (immediately following the screening) in which we might explore how to best engage with, or respond to, citizen activism (of which paedophile hunting is a case).”

Unparalleled insight to help policy analysis

Says Professor Gishan Dissanaike, Dean of Cambridge Judge Business School: “The entire Cambridge Judge community is delighted that Mark de Rond has received this important recognition for research impact and engagement from the University of Cambridge. Mark’s research involves painstaking work embedded with certain communities over a number of years, and this provides unparalleled insight and analysis that helps society deal with important issues.”