Dr D.J. Korf (1952) has been named Professor by Special Appointment in Criminology, and in particular criminal policy research, in the Faculty of Law of the University of Amsterdam (UvA).

Dirk Korf specialises in empirical research on hard-to-reach groups. His research is focused on the investigation of developments and patterns in recreational drug use and drug trafficking in the context of drug policy and from an international perspective. Over the next few years, doctoral candidates will be focusing their research on the various segments and consumer groups that exist within the illegal drug trade (which includes cannabis, party drugs and crack). Korf has a strong interest in conducting interdisciplinary research which is reflected in his joint research and PhD projects in partnership with other faculties and scientific institutes. He is particularly fascinated by cultural aspects of modern-day society, such as the ways in which changing ethnic make-up of populations and the resulting shift in perspectives on substance use influence trends in recreational drug use.

Korf has been active at the UvA since 1985, first as a researcher and later as University Lecturer and Senior Lecturer. He has also served as a Senior University Lecturer at Utrecht University since 2000. From 1992 until 1998 he was head of the Deviance and Social Control section in the Municipality of Amsterdam's Department for Research and Statistics. Prior to this he was Director of the Amsterdam Ecumenical Centre (Amsterdams Oecumenisch Centrum) and a drug addiction fieldworker for the Rainbow Foundation in Amsterdam. In addition, Korf holds appointments as Chairman of the European Society for Social Drug Research, Vice Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Dutch National Drugs Monitor and is an editor for a number of professional journals.