How long you’ve taught here, what led to you becoming an academic and getting into this role
I joined the University in 2021, prior to this I’d spent some time in policy research as well as holding lectureships at Hull and Leeds, and I’ve also taught at the University of Hong Kong. My journey into academia started back in 2007 when I was awarded a scholarship which allowed me to complete a Masters and PhD. Even earlier than that, I chose to study Sociology and Criminology as an Undergraduate as I wanted to understand why the world is organised the way it is (a long standing interest of mine is social inequality and power!). Studying the social sciences allowed me to embrace my critical mind!
What research and/or successes have you done that you’d like to share with prospective students?
My research to date has predominantely been concentrated in the commercial sex industry. I was part of a research team at Swansea looking at student involvement in the informal economy, and later was part of a research team at Edinburgh Napier conducting longitudinal work into the impact of welfare reform on vulnerable groups. My main achievement to date was being awarded a small research grant to conduct research into illegal brothels in London and the impact of legislation in relation to this. As part of this, I was able to unveil my findings at an academic conference in Boston which was a fantastic experience.
What’s your favourite part of this module?
That can always change, but at the moment I teach modules including Social Exclusion, Explaining Crime, Research and Practice, Crimes of the Powerful and ‘Becoming a Criminologist’. By far my favourite modules are Social Exclusion and Crimes of the Powerful, as I really get to open up critical discussions regarding the way things are in society with my students.
Any extra-curricular / out of classroom activities you’d like to amplify?
One of the courses I am involved in runs a Major Incident Event, which sees students travel to Ambleside and join forces with police officers, ambulance staff and police dogs to replicate a major incident. This allows students to get some ‘on the job’ experience of being involved in working in the scene of a serious crime. We also have just started a really exciting Criminology Society, and so far we have had trips to the University mortuary (no longer in use – Fusehill Street was once a hospital!), movie nights with pizza, and a Ghost Walk!
What advice would you give to students considering studying on this course?
I’d say it is very much a community here. All the staff know who students are, you are definitely more than just a student number.
What’s your favourite thing about teaching at Cumbria?
The students, of course!
Interesting fact about yourself
I am an avid collector of Hello Kitty items. It is also my dream to be a contestant on the TV show ‘Gladiators’!