Dr. Sophie Serrano is a criminologist whose research focuses on how private actors shape social problems, governance mechanisms, and legal frameworks. Her work lies at the intersection of socio-legal studies, economic sociology and political sociology.

Her doctoral research at the University of Neuchâtel, “Becoming a Moral Entrepreneur,” offers a critical analysis of philanthropy in Geneva. Through a mixed methodological approach combining social network analysis and ethnographic investigation, she demonstrates how philanthropists construct themselves as legitimate actors in the public arena while depoliticizing social issues through market-oriented approaches. This work contributes to debates on power relations in democracy and the role of private wealth in addressing public problems.

Currently, Sophie Serrano is working on the project “Water Crimes – Unpunished Wrongdoings” where she focuses particularly on perpetrators of water-related crimes, their profiles, their perception of the law, and environmental crimes in general.

She holds a PhD in criminology from the University of Neuchâtel (2025), a master’s degree in criminology from the University of Lausanne (2017), and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Geneva (2015).

Publications

Doctoral Thesis

Serrano, S. (2025). Becoming a Moral Entrepreneur: A Study of the Backstage of the Genevan Philanthropic Network, University of Neuchâtel

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Serrano, S. (Accepted). Abolish Philanthropy: When the Wealthy are Meddling with Social Harms. Justice, Power and Resistance

Serrano, S. (2023). Le marché des préjudices sociaux : le cas de la philanthropie genevoise. Nouvelle Revue de Criminologie et de Politique Pénale, (2), 37-42

Serrano, S. (2022). The Market for Social Harms: A Case Study of Genevan Philanthropy. The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice. 61 (3). 347-366

Serrano, S. (2018). Création de normes et réponse aux situations-problèmes en autogestion. Revue Internationale de Criminologie et de Police Technique et Scientifique, (1), 65-87

Press and Reports

Serrano, S. (2021). Une « zone à défendre » antidémocratique, cela n’existe pas. Le Temps, 11 janvier 2021

Stoll, A., Campistol, C., Serrano, S. (2019). Rapport : Regards croisés sur les conditions de vie en foyer des personnes requérantes d’asile dans la canton de Vaud : Enquête qualitative au sein des Établissement vaudois d’acceuil des migrants (EVAM). School of Criminal Sciences, University of Lausanne

Presentations (selection)

Serrano, S., Bouazzouni, N., Beauvallet, J. (07.2024). Eat the Rich. Presented at: Conference at the Neuchâtel Fantastic Film Festival, Neuchâtel