Gershon Ben Keren is a criminologist who has been working in the security industry since 1990. He holds two master’s degrees: one in criminology and criminal psychology (University of Essex, UK), and another in psychology, with a specialty in forensic psychology (Newcastle University, UK). He is a member of the APA (American Psychological Association), the ASC (American Society of Criminology), and the IACA (International Association of Crime Analysts). He also holds advanced certificates in Forensic Linguistics, and Data Science. His main area of research is in Environmental Criminology, looking at why crime/offending occurs in specific locations at certain times etc. He is currently based in Boston, Massachusetts.
His work in the security industry has included working in bar, pub and club security, and has worked as door supervisor in the UK, managing teams, responsible for the security of nightclub establishments. He also worked as a close-protection operative, and been involved in surveillance, anti-surveillance, and counter-surveillance. He has professionally taught and trained individuals in self-defense and self-protection, in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the US.
Gershon’s background in self-defense , includes a 5th Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga, a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo, and a 1st Degree Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate. He first started studying martial and for self-defense in 1980. In 2010, he was inducted into the Museum of Israeli Martial arts in Herzliya, Israel. He has written three Amazon best-selling books on self-defense and personal-safety/protection (published by Tuttle Press). He is regularly sought out by news agencies, internationally, for interviews concerning acts of aggression and violence that have become newsworthy e.g., click here to listen to a news interview he did with NPR/WBUR concerning the abduction and murder of Amy Lord, in South Boston (to listen to the interview click here (this will open in a new tab).
He combines his first-hand experiences of dealing with violence with his own and others academic research to ensure that the training he offers is informed, realistic and research/evidentially based. His services include a variety of corporate services (including training and consultancy) along with public self-defense classes and private and small group training, including that of colleges and universities. If you are interested in any of these services, you can contact KMY Boston by clicking here.
You can watch his Google Author Talks below (click here to watch), to learn about his approach to self-defense and personal safety. He is one of only a few authors who have been asked back to conduct a second talk/presentation. The first concerns premeditated acts of violence committed by predatory individuals, whereas the second looks at how to de-escalate spontaneous acts of violence concerning social interactions that have turned aggressive/violent.
If you are interested in the training we provide, and would like to learn more, we offer beginner self-defense classes at our training facility, located just North of Boston. Please use the button below to learn more.