Dr Sadiya Akram
Associate Professor in Sociology
Sadiya Akram is a specialist in the politics of race at the University of Birmingham. Her research explores the varied ways in which racially marginalised groups mobilise.
Crime and Social Harm
The Crime and Social Harm research theme explores a wide range of criminological issues, with a focus on understanding the causes of crime, its prevention, and the complex social processes involved in criminalisation. The group brings together interdisciplinary perspectives, including sociological, psychological, biological, historical, and legal approaches, to examine the many factors that contribute to crime and deviant behaviour.
The theme covers traditional criminological concerns such as crime causation and engagement with the criminal justice system, while also addressing broader issues related to harm in society. Researchers investigate various aspects of criminal justice, including youth justice, penal reform, and the role of policing, often with a critical focus on the policies and motivations that shape these systems. The group also explores international perspectives, acknowledging the global processes involved in defining and identifying crimes, and the shared challenges and disproportionate impacts that occur across different legal and cultural contexts. Informed by cutting-edge research, the team aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to reform current practices and reduce crime and harm across society.
Theme Lead: Evelyn Svingen
Selected publications
Selected publications
Chan, H. C. O. (2024). Nonstranger and stranger sexual homicides in Mainland China: Comparing the modus operandi of male sexual murderers. Sexual Abuse, 36(5), 603-629. doi: 10.1177/10790632231190079.
Chan, H. C. O., & Beech, A. (2024). Risky sexual behavior and psychopathy: Testing the relationship in a nonclinical sample of young adults in Hong Kong. Behavioral Sciences, 14(2), Article 94. doi: 10.3390/bs14020094.
Edgemon, TG., Clay-Warner, J, Kawashima, T, Anarfi, JK, and Okech, D. 2024. “Violent Victimization Increases Psychological Distress among Women Trafficking Survivors in Ghana.” Violence Against Women
Edgemon, TG. and Clay-Warner, J. 2023. “Conditions of Confinement and Incarcerated Women’s Mental Health.” Feminist Criminology
Haworth, S., Montgomery, P. & Schaub, J. (2023) A Delphi study to develop items for a new tool for measuring child neglect for use by multi-agency practitioners in the UK. Social Sciences 2023, 12(4), 239. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12040239
Martin, BT., Spencer-Suarez, K, Giuffre, A, Edgemon, TG, and Horowitz, V. 2023. “Factoring in Family: Considerations of Parenthood in Monetary Sanctions Assessment, Enforcement, and Collection.” British Journal of Criminology.
Mythen, G. and Weston, S. (2024) ‘Educating Young People about Vulnerability to Sexual Exploitation: Safeguarding Practitioners’ Standpoints at the Intersections of Gender, Sexuality and Risk’, British Journal of Social Work., 154(1): 363-380
Svingen. E. (2023). PTSD and crime propensity: Stress systems, brain structures, and the nature of the relationship. Heliyon, 9(7), e18381
Watkins, E. (2023) 'Path dependence and jumping tracks: Investigating institutional continuity and change across the Tasmanian convict and pauper systems', The Howard Journal of Crime & Justice: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hojo.12536
Weston, S. and Mythen, G. (2023) ‘Child Sexual Exploitation and the Adoption of Public Health Approaches to Prevention: Critical Reflections on Evolving Processes and Practices’, Crime Prevention and Community Safety, 25: 227-242
Research Projects
Research Projects
Institutional Abuse: Reformatory Schools and the use of physical force Dr Emma D. Watkins (PI)
Assessment of neglect as a social form of harm – Prof Paul Montgomery and Dr Simon Howarth
Redthread Youth Violence Intervention Programme Evaluation - Prof Paul Montgomery (PI), with Prof Joht Chanden (Public Health) and Prof Sid Bandyopadhyay (Economics)
An Evaluation of the WEPROTECT intervention at reducing revictimisation of domestic abuse (DA) and improving mental wellbeing outcomes for victims of Domestic Abuse? - Professor Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay- PI (Economics) and Prof Paul Montgomery
Members
Dr Sarah Brooks-Wilson
Lecturer in Criminology
Dr Sarah Brooks-Wilson is a Lecturer in Criminology in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology at the University of Birmingham
Dr Emma Burtt
Lecturer in Women, Crime and Criminology
Dr Emma Burtt is a Lecturer in Women, Crime and Criminology, School of Social Policy at the University of Birmingham.
Dr Heng Choon (Oliver) Chan
Associate Professor of Criminology
Dr. Heng Choon Chan's research focuses on sexual homicide, sexual offending, stalking behaviour, juvenile delinquency, psycho-criminology, and Asian criminology.
Dr Timothy Edgemon
Assistant Professor of Criminology
Dr. Timothy G. Edgemon is an Assistant Professor of Criminology at the University of Birmingham.
Dr Laura Kelly
Associate Professor in Criminal Justice
Staff profile for Dr Laura Kelly, Research Fellow, School of Social Policy at the University of Birmingham
Dr Anna Kotova
Associate Professor in Criminology.
Dr Kotova's teaching and research interests are in prison sociology, the collateral impact of imprisonment on families of prisoners and theoretical work on stigma.
Dr Angelo Martins Junior
Associate Professor in Sociology & Criminology
Angelo Martins Jr is an Assistant Professor in Sociology at the University of Birmingham
Dr Daniel Mitchell
Lecturer in Criminology
Dr Daniel Mitchell is Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Birmingham.
Professor Paul Montgomery-Marks
Professor of Social Intervention
Professor Paul Montgomery-Marks' research examines how interventions and systems influence health, wellbeing, and social outcomes.
Professor Simon Pemberton
Professor in Social Policy and Criminology
Simon Pemberton, Professor in Social Policy and Criminology in the School of Social Policy and Society, University of Birmingham.
Dr Evelyn Svingen
Assistant Professor in Criminology
Dr Evelyn Svingen is an Assistant Professor in Criminology with an interest in the biosocial mechanisms of etiology of crime.
Dr Emma Watkins
Associate Professor in Criminology
Dr Emma Watkins, School of Social Policy and Society, University of Birmingham
Dr Samantha Weston
Associate Professor
Dr Samantha Weston is an Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham.