From carrying a big stick to cops on TV, a new research centre at the University of Gloucestershire is holding up a mirror to the many faces of crime.
The Centre for the Study of Crime, Violence and Disorder was initiated by former police officer and Professor of Criminology Frank Leishman, and Professor of 20th Century American History, Neil Wynn, both of whom contribute to courses on crime and punishment.
Although they may seem worlds apart, the new initiative has seen several university departments, from sports to journalism, find a part to play at the centre which is one of five officially launched at the University on February 16.
“It’s had a really good response from colleagues in a wide range of disciplines,” said Prof Leishman, whose special expertise is in the portrayal of the police through the media and in television drama.
“Colleagues from Religion, Philosophy and Ethics courses, Criminology and Forensic Psychology courses and Journalism all have a valuable contribution to make. Members of the Centre have established interests in areas such as victimisation and patterns of offending, while there are also a range of aspects grounded in the representation of crime and issues such as race, gender and popular culture.”
The aim of the new Centre is to further encourage, foster and develop interdisciplinary scholarship and research in this area. The Centre grew out of a variety of developments, notably a popular undergraduate programme in Criminology, and the validation of masters programmes in Forensic and Criminological Psychology within the Department of Natural and Social Sciences.
Prof Leishman added: “This initiative has coincided with the development of links between University staff and external criminal justice agencies, including the Gloucestershire Criminal Justice Board, Gloucestershire Constabulary, HM Prison Service in the county and related voluntary sector organisations.”
The diversity of the subject area is reflected in the titles of papers for the forthcoming seminar series, including Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick, exploring weapon carrying and the law, and Where the Money is: Geography and Organised Crime.
The Centre’s activities will focus on three inter-linked themes:
- Representations of crime, violence and disorder
- Patterns of crime and victimisation
- Cultural and organisational aspects of criminal justice.
Prof Wynn, whose interests include race and violence, crime fiction and popular culture, said, “We’re co-convenors of a Centre that seems to have attracted a lot of interest from all quarters which is most encouraging. There’s also a lot of enthusiasm generally for the centre, from non-academic and support staff which reflects the wide appeal of the Centre’s remit.”
The Centre will be based at Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham, which is home to both the Departments of Natural and Social Sciences, and Humanities.
9th February 2009