A research team from Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice has been recognized for its work in studying hate crimes and developing strategies to support victims. Brendan Lantz, director of the Hate Crime Research and Policy Institute (HCRPI), along with his team, received the 2025 Eva Lassman “Take Action Against Hate” Award from Gonzaga University’s Center for the Study of Hate.
The award is named after Holocaust survivor and human rights advocate Eva Lassman. It acknowledges HCRPI’s efforts in research and partnerships aimed at addressing hate crime violence.
“This is a tremendous honor — not just for me, but for our entire team. Our faculty affiliates, graduate students and undergraduate researchers have poured their time and passion into understanding and addressing hate crimes. This recognition affirms the importance of their work,” said Brendan Lantz, HCRPI director and associate professor of criminology and criminal justice.
Under Lantz’s leadership, HCRPI includes associate professors Marin Wenger and Sylwia Piatkowska as well as numerous graduate and undergraduate research assistants. The institute is noted for its national leadership in studies on hate crime victimization.
Thomas Blomberg, dean of the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, emphasized the significance of this work. “As their work has shown, hate crimes are historically poorly measured and accounted for by law enforcement agencies across the country,” Blomberg said. “Through their research and partnerships with hate crime task forces, Brendan, Marin and Sylwia are bridging the knowledge gap, giving us a more complete picture and helping to inform policy across the country.”
Since 2019, HCRPI has worked to improve data accuracy on hate crimes in the United States. The institute oversees the Longitudinal Hate Crime Victimization Survey, which is considered the largest ongoing panel study examining connections between bias exposure and mental health outcomes among victims. This survey helps provide insights into how hate-motivated violence affects individuals’ well-being.
HCRPI also collaborates with national organizations, statewide task forces, law enforcement agencies, and community groups to enhance education about hate crimes while addressing inconsistencies in reporting practices. These collaborations help develop approaches based on data analysis.
“This award is a testament to our team’s dedication,” Lantz said. “Our faculty, graduate and undergraduate researchers are passionate about understanding and addressing hate crimes. This honor fuels our mission to create a more just society.”
The 2025 Eva Lassman “Take Action Against Hate” Award will be formally presented at a banquet scheduled for November 6 in Spokane, Washington.
Further information about HCRPI’s initiatives can be found at criminology.fsu.edu.
