Violence, Crime and Justice
This theme covers a wide range of topics, including crime, various types of violence, and how justice systems handle these issues.
It covers the law of war, criminal law (both substantive and procedural), and fresh ways to seek justice in national, European, and international settings. It includes clear crimes like those linked to terrorism. It also covers less obvious injustices, such as unfair laws or biased practices in the criminal justice system.
Researchers have collaborated with various groups, including the United Nations, European Union institutions, and the Council of Europe. They have also worked with the House of Lords Select Committees, West Midlands Police, and the Law Commission. Additionally, they support NGOs and fight for justice for vulnerable and minority groups.
Research has appeared in these publications:
- Journal of International Criminal Justice
- Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly
- Journal of Law and Society
- Criminal Law Review
- Crime, Law and Social Change
- Theoretical Criminology
Staff researching in this theme
Staff researching in this theme
- Emma Breeze's research focuses on armed conflict, technology, intelligence and international crimes
- Steven Cammiss is currently researching the criminal courts' response to protest.
- Rachel Charman - Chinese; Language and Law; Equivalence in translation; effect of English judgments on Chinese judicial reform; course design including SQE.
- John Child specialises in criminal law, theory and doctrine; and the relationship between criminal law and neuroscience
- Janine Natalya Clark's research interests include war, transitional justice, resilience and posthumanism.
- Sam Cole's research focuses on probation and rehabilitation, counter-terrorism, and how communities respond to crime.
- Alan Greene's research focuses on emergency powers, human rights, counter-terrorism, and constituent power.
- Jason Haynes' research examines the power imbalances in certain areas of international law. It looks at how these imbalances affect vulnerable communities. He also explores how law and policy can empower these communities to confront these issues.
- Anthea Hucklesby does research based on theory and real-life data about every stage of the criminal justice process.
- Natasa Mavronicola's research looks at different aspects of human rights law and practice. It covers the nature and limits of absolute rights. She also explores the interpretation of key human rights, like the right to life and the right not to be tortured or ill-treated. Additionally, she examines how human rights relate to state punishment.
- Kirsty Moreton studies healthcare law and ethics. Her work mainly looks at capacity and decision-making for children. She focuses on areas including trans healthcare, end-of-life issues, religious beliefs, and conflicts between parents and clinicians. Within criminal law her focus is on sexual offences, women’s offending and the intersection of mental health and criminality.
- Emma Oakley's research uses socio-legal approaches to investigate legal and regulatory decision-making
- Tara Lai Quinlan's research has two areas of focus: 1. disproportionality and diversity in the UK and US criminal justice systems, including policing and jury service; and 2. fairness, accountability and effectiveness of domestic counter-terrorism measures in the UK and US.
- Silvana Tapia Tapia critiques penal systems and international human rights from an anti-colonial feminist perspective. She highlights the actions of anti-carceral social movements.
- Marianne Wade studies EU criminal justice. She focuses on prosecutors, their impact on citizens, and specific topics.
In addition to our school-wide seminar series, researchers and postgraduate students can get involved with this theme through the Centre for Crime, Justice and Policing and the BLS Crime research group. Violence, Crime, Justice forms a subject stream in our Annual Research Conference.