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A North East university criminologist has been awarded one of the UK's most prestigious research prizes for work examining the links between crime and illicit economies.
Dr Alexandra Hall, associate professor in criminology at Northumbria University, is one of 30 recipients of the 2026 Philip Leverhulme Prizes, awarded by the Leverhulme Trust to early-career researchers whose work has already achieved international impact.
She said: "I’m absolutely chuffed, and a little stunned, to have received a Philip Leverhulme Prize.
"It’s a real honour.
"A big thanks to the reviewers, panel members and the Trust for recognising the potential of my work.
"I’m excited to build on my existing research, explore new directions in the study of offshore worlds, and see where this next chapter takes me."
Dr Hall won in the sociology and social policy category for researching how illicit economies are organised and financed worldwide.
Her work has covered drug and counterfeit-goods markets, freeports and special economic zones (SEZs).
She is working on The Freeport Paradox, funded by the Independent Social Research Foundation, and recently researched SEZs worldwide with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), including their links to environmental crime.
Her earlier studies informed policy and regulation in the UK, US and Europe and were taken up by organisations including the European Commission, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Council of Europe, Europol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The £100,000 prize will fund Dr Hall’s latest book, which aims to create a criminology of the offshore world.
The book will examine tax havens, charter cities, offshore financial centres and emerging digital jurisdictions.
Professor Louise Bracken, pro vice-chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at Northumbria University, said: "To win any Leverhulme Prize is a clear mark of excellence, and a reflection of the quality and impact of the world-class research taking place at Northumbria.
"Making the Philip Leverhulme Prize list is a stand-out achievement for Dr Hall and recognition of her contribution to her field."
The Philip Leverhulme Prizes, now in their 25th year, commemorate Philip, third Viscount Leverhulme and grandson of the Trust’s founder.
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Professor Anna Vignoles, director of the Leverhulme Trust, said: "This year marks the twenty-fifth year of the Philip Leverhulme Prizes.
"For a quarter of a century, this scheme has attracted extraordinarily high-calibre researchers, and selecting only thirty winners is always challenging."
More on Northumbria University’s research is available at northumbria.ac.uk/research.