Professor David Wilson

David Wilson is one of the UK's leading criminologists and an Emeritus Professor at Birmingham City University. He is a National Teaching Fellow of the UK.

Before returning to academia, Professor Wilson served as a Prison Governor, having been recruited directly from Cambridge University in 1984 and worked in a variety of prisons in different roles until his resignation in 1997.

He continues to make significant contributions to the field of criminal justice and penology and has become a prominent media figure, regularly contributing to television, radio and podcasts.

He has authored numerous publications - including prize winning books and peer-reviewed articles, mostly focusing on serious and violent crime, including murder and serial murder - where he writes from a structural perspective. He contributes a monthly newspaper column to The Herald.

His latest book – A History of Modern Britain in 20 Murders (Sphere) will be published in August 2025 – which covers British history from 1885 to the present day.



Professor Wilson is the Chair of the Friends of Grendon and the Vice President of New Bridge.