The KFN was founded in 1979 by the then Minister of Justice of Lower Saxony, Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Schwind, as an independent and interdisciplinary research institute. Its mandate is to conduct and promote practice-oriented criminological research. The institute cooperates closely with the University of Göttingen on the basis of a formal cooperation agreement. Organised as a non-profit association, the KFN receives institutional funding for its core operations from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture.
In addition to this basic funding, the KFN has successfully acquired substantial third-party funding in recent years, which supports the majority of its current research projects. These funds have been provided by the German Research Foundation (DFG), various foundations, federal and state ministries, crime prevention councils, as well as cities, counties, and municipalities. The KFN is structured into three research units: 1. Aetiology of Deviance, 2. Victimology, and 3. Institutions of Social Control. These are complemented by a dedicated Methods Department.
The institute places great importance on making its research findings accessible to a broad audience. This is achieved primarily through publications in academic journals and books, as well as through presentations at national and international conferences. In addition, the KFN organises colloquia and other events, and regularly contributes to public discussions through interviews with print media, radio, and television. To stay informed about the KFN’s research, job vacancies and upcoming events, it is worth visiting the website regularly or following the institute on social media at @kfnhannover.
