Dr. Saeed Kabiri
Assistant Professor
Institute for Cultural, Social, and Civilization Studies, Tehran, Iran

 Email: s.kabiri@iscs.ac.ir; s.kabiri89@gmail.com
Position at the Institute: Faculty Member, Social Studies Research Group

Education 
B.A. (2009) Sociology, University of Guilan, Iran.
M.A. (2012) Sociology, University of Guilan, Iran.
Ph.D. (2018) Sociology - Social Problem of Iran, University of Mazandaran, Iran.

I am an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Cultural, Social, and Civilization Studies in Tehran, with over a decade of experience in sociology, criminology, and the study of deviance. My research focuses on applying sociological and criminological theories to explore complex social issues, including both positive and negative academic deviance, sports criminology, delinquency, and the emerging challenges of cybercrime. Through close collaboration with international scholars, I have contributed significantly to criminology and sociology, publishing extensively in leading global journals.

At the Institute, I lead a comprehensive sociological and pathological project on academic life, combining advanced quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the social, psychological, and behavioral challenges faced by academic participants in university settings. This project addresses critical issues such as academic dishonesty, stress, maladaptive behaviors, and the pathological challenges that higher education systems face, including institutional pressures, burnout, and dysfunctional academic cultures. By integrating diverse criminological and sociological theories, this project seeks to uncover the root causes of these behaviors and inform evidence-based policies that can help universities create a more positive and enriching experience for both students and faculty.

Areas of Expertise and Research Interests

• Pathology of Academic Life: Investigating the social and psychological aspects of university life to uncover the root causes of issues like academic dishonesty, student well-being, and the impact of institutional culture on behavior.
• Sociology of Sport: Examining deviant behaviors within sports contexts, including performance-enhancing drug use, fan aggression, and social identity in athletic environments.
• Sociology of Deviance: Analyzing various forms of deviant behavior using a criminological lens to understand societal impacts.
• Theoretical Criminology: Developing, testing, and refining criminological theories for a deeper understanding of crime and deviance.
• Advanced Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods: Proficient in sophisticated methodologies, including structural equation modeling and grounded theory analysis.
• Theory Testing: Employing multi-theoretical frameworks to rigorously test criminological theories.
• Criminal Psychology: Integrating psychological approaches to examine motivations behind deviant and criminal behavior.

Books

1. Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. Rahmati, MM. (2021). Criminology of sports: Empirical Application of the most important criminological theories in sports. Sport Sciences Research Institute of Iran. In Persian.

PUBLICATIONS

• Kabiri, S., Cochran, J. K., Severson, R., Shadmanfaat, S. M., Rahmati, M. M., & Sharepour, M. (2018). Social and Personal Controls and Performance Enhancing Drug Use: Toward an Explanation of Doping Activity among Professional Athletes in Rasht, Iran. Deviant Behavior, 39(11), 1483–1496.
• Kabiri, S., Cochran, J. K., Stewart, B. J., Sharepour, M., Rahmati, M. M., & Shadmanfaat, S. M. (2018). Doping Among Professional Athletes in Iran: A Test of Akers’s Social Learning Theory. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 62(5), 1384–1410.
• Kabiri, S., Masoomeh Shadmanfaat, S., Donner, C. M., & Cochran, J. K. (2020). An Integrated Model of Athletes’ PED Use: A Test of Low Self-Control, Opportunity, Deviant Peer Associations, and Control Deficit. Deviant Behavior, Advanced Online, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2020.1738986
• Kabiri, S., Masoomeh Shadmanfaat, S., Smith, H., & Cochran, J. K. (2020). Aggression in Soccer Fan’s: A Test of Akers’ Social Learning Theory. Deviant Behavior, Advanced Online, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2020.1763119
• Kabiri, S., Rahmati, M. M., & ShadManfaat, S. M. (2015). Sport identity and verbal/physical reactions among soccer fans. 8th International Congress on Physical Education and Sport Science, Tehran, Iran.
• Kabiri, S., Rahmati, M. M., & Sharepour, M. (2016). Instrumental and Hostile Aggression among the Fans of Padideh Soccer Club of Iran. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences Humanities, 24(3), 1007–1023.
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., & Donner, C. M. (2019a). Examining the Effect of Ineffective Parenting and Low Self-Control on Athletes’ PED Use. International Criminal Justice Review, Advanced Online, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/1057567719832354
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., & Donner, C. M. (2019b). Using Control Balance Theory to Examine Sports Doping Among Professional Athletes in Iran. Journal of Drug Issues, Advance online publication, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042619837757
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., Howell, C. J., Donner, C., & Cochran, J. K. (2020). Performance-Enhancing Drug Use Among Professional Athletes: A Longitudinal Test of Social Learning Theory. Crime & Delinquency, Advanced Online, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128719901111
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M. S., Choi, J., & Yun, I. (2020). The impact of life domains on cyberbullying perpetration in Iran: A partial test of Agnew’s general theory of crime. Journal of Criminal Justice, 66, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2019.101633
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., Smith, H., & Choi, J. (2020). Antisocial Behavior in Soccer Players: Using an Integrated Mediation Model of Personal Control and Social Learning Theory. Social Science Quarterly, 11(3), 1090–1114.
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., Smith, H., & Cochran, J. (2020). A Social Learning Model of Antisocial Coaching Behavior. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 64(8), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X19899608
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., & Willits, D. (2019). A Multi-Theoretical Framework for Assessing Performance-Enhancing Drug Use: Examining the Utility of Self-Control, Social Learning, and Control Balance Theories. Journal of Drug Issues, Advance online publication, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042619839935
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S., Winterdyk, J., Smith, H. P., & O’Dwyer, L. (2019). Illegal gambling on sports: a mediational model of general strain theory. Criminal Justice Studies, Advanced Online, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2019.1699558
• Kabiri, S., Willits, D. W., & Shadmanfaat, S. M. (2019). A Multitheoretical Framework for Assessing Performance-Enhancing Drug Use: Examining the Utility of Self-Control, Social Learning, and Control Balance Theories. Journal of Drug Issues, 49(3), 512–530.
• Kabiri, S., Choi, J., Shadmanfaat, S. M., & Lee, J. (2020). Using structural equations to test a multi-theoretical framework with data on cyberstalking victimization in Iran: Self-control, control deficit, peers’ online deviant behaviors, and online deviant lifestyles. Crime and Delinquency (Advanced Online), 1-15. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128720968501
• Kabiri, S., Choi, J., Shadmanfaat, S. M., Ponnet, K., Lee, J., Lee, S., & Donner, C. M. (Social Science Quarterly). Learning to Play Through Pain and Injury: An Examination of Social Learning Theory Among Iranian Athletes. Social Science Quarterly (Advanced Online), 1-17. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.12878
• Shadmanfaat, M., Cochran, J. K., Allen, S. F., Toth, A. G., & Kabiri, S. (2019). Sports Gambling among Iranians: A test of control and rational choice theories. Deviant Behavior, 41(5), 591–606.
• Shadmanfaat, S., Kabiri, S., Miley, L. N., Howell, C. J., Muniz, C. N., & Cochran, J. K. (2020). Performance Enhancing Drug Use Among Professional Athletes: Testing the Applicability of Key Theoretical Concepts Derived From Situational Action Theory. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, Advanced Online, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193723520919812
• Shadmanfaat, S., Richardson, D. A., Muniz, C. N., Cochran, J. K., Kabiri, S., & Howell, C. J. (2020). Cyberbullying against Rivals: Application of Key Theoretical Concepts Derived from Situational Action Theory. Deviant Behavior, Advanced Online, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2020.1762452
• Shadmanfaat, Seyyed Masoomeh, Cochran, J. K., Muniz, C. N., & Kabiri, S. (2018). Soccer Hooliganism in Iran: A Test of Agnew’s General Strain Theory. Deviant Behavior, 40(5), 544–558. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2018.1431136
• Shadmanfaat, Seyyed Masoomeh, Howell, C., Cochran, J. K., Muniz, C. N., Richardson, D., & Kabiri, S. (2019). Cyberbullying against Rival Fans and Athletes: A Complementary Model of Self-Control and Differential Association. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 12(2), 362–375.
• Shadmanfaat, Seyyed Masoomeh, Howell, C. J., Muniz, C. N., Cochran, J. K., Kabiri, S., & Fontaine, E. M. (2019). Cyberbullying perpetration: an empirical test of social learning theory in Iran. Deviant Behavior, 41(3), 278–293. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2019.1565513
• Shadmanfaat, Seyyed Masoomeh, Howell, C. J.-M., Muniz, C. N., Cochran, J. K., Kabiri, S., & Richardson, D. A. (2018). The predictive ability of self-control and differential association on sports fans’ decision to engage in cyber bullying perpetration against rivals. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 12(2), 362.
• Shadmanfaat, Seyyedeh Masoomeh, Choi, J., Kabiri, S., & Lee, J. (2020). Impact of Social Concern on Cyberbullying Perpetration in Iran: Direct, Indirect, Mediating, and Conditioning Effects in Agnew’s Social Concern Theory. Deviant Behavior, Advanced Online, 1–22.
• Shadmanfaat, Seyyedeh Masoomeh, Choi, J., Kabiri, S., & Yun, I. (2020). Assessing the Links Between Parenting Practices, Moral Emotions, and Cyberbullying Perpetrations Among a Sample of Iranian Sports Fans. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Advanced Online, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X20923252
• Shadmanfaat, S. M. S., Kabiri, S., Solensten, B., Willits, D. W., & Cochran, J. (2022). A Longitudinal Study of Fan Aggression: A Test of General Strain Theory. Deviant Behavior, 43(5), 543-555.
• Kabiri, S., Choi, J., Kruis, N., Shadmanfaat, S. M., & Lee, J. (2021). Social Concern as a Means of Understanding the Risk of Workplace Deviance. Deviant Behavior, Advanced Online, 1-20.
• Kabiri, S., Choi, J., Shadmanfaat, S. M., & Lee, J. (2021). Control deficits, conditioning factors, and playing through pain and injury among Iranian professional soccer players. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(7), 3387.
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., Stevens Andersen, T., Rotzinger, Y., Howell, C. J., Smith, H., & Cochran, J. K. (2022). Personal Control and Antisocial Coaching: A Test of Self-Control and Control Balance Theories. Deviant Behavior, Advanced Online, 1-14.
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., Pauwels, L., Donner, C., Cochran, J., Hardyns, W. (2022). Can social concern theory explain quarantine-related misbehavior during the COVID-19 pandemic? An inquiry in the urban context of Iran, Crime and Delinquency, Advanced Online, 1-20.
• Kabiri, S., Sharepour, M., Howell, C. J., Wellen, H., Smith, H. P., Cochran, J. K., ... & Andersen, T. S. (2022). Violations of Emergent Norms Regarding COVID-19 Mitigation and Social Hygiene: An Application of Agnew’s General Theory of Crime. Crime & Delinquency, 00111287221130961.
• Kabiri, S., Donner, C. M., Shadmanfaat, S. M. S., & Rahmati, M. M. (2022). School Bullying Among Iranian Adolescents: Considering a Higher Moderation Model in Situational Action Theory. International Journal of Bullying Prevention, 1-14.
• Shadmanfaat, S. M., Kabiri, S., Smith, H. P., Cochran, J. K., Andersen, T. S., & Madahi, J. (2023). Coaching and Doping: A Test of Situational Action Theory. Journal of Drug Issues, 00220426231179217.
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., Perkins, R. C., Wellen, H., Howell, C. J., Cochran, J. K., & Smith, H. (2023). Aggressive spectators in sporting milieus: a test of Situational Action Theory. Global Crime, 1-20.
• Kabiri, S., Donner, C. M., Maddahi, J., Shadmanfaat, S. M., & Hardyns, W. (2023). How General is General Strain Theory? An Inquiry of Workplace Deviance in Iran. International Criminal Justice Review, 10575677231172833.
• Kabiri, S., Shadmanfaat, S. M., Stevens Andersen, T., Rotzinger, Y., Howell, C. J., Smith, H., & Cochran, J. K. (2023). Personal Control and Antisocial Coaching: A Test of Self-Control and Control Balance Theories. Deviant Behavior, 44(5), 738-751.

Professional Memberships

• Iranian Sociological Association
• Expert Panel Member, Sciences of Law and Criminology (FWO), Ghent University (2023–2025): Providing expertise in criminology to guide research and policy recommendations.
• Quantitative Methods in Criminology (EU): Collaborating with European researchers to advance quantitative criminological research.
• European Development and Life-Course Criminology (EDLC): Engaging in research on crime and deviance throughout the life course in a European context.

Ad hoc Reviewer

As a peer reviewer for leading international journals, I contribute to the fields of sociology, criminology, and psychology by evaluating and supporting impactful research:

1. Sociology of Social Institutions – Mazandaran University
2. Socio-Psychological Studies of Women – Al-Zahra University
3. Crime and Delinquency
4. Deviant Behavior
5. BMC Psychiatry (Springer Nature)
6. Scientific Reports
7. International Journal of Sport Psychology
8. Victims & Offenders
9. Sport Frontiers

Through these professional engagements, I aim to advance academic understanding and the application of sociological and criminological insights to real-world social issues.