Dr Christopher Kay
Lecturer in Criminology and Social Policy
Desistance and rehabilitation research is shaping the ways in which the criminal justice system works with people with convictions.
The more we understand the ways in which we can help people move on from offending, the easier we can make this transition and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. We can also work towards mitigating against the long term, negative impacts of being caught up in the criminal justice system.
What is Criminology?
On the face of things, criminology, the study of crime and the causes of crime, seems like a pretty straightforward endeavour.
We have laws, and we have people who break those laws. You break the law, you get punished. Simple, right?
Well, actually, no. Criminology is about understanding the world in which crime exists, who commits crime? Why? Where? Does it take something or someone special to commit an offence or can anyone given the right circumstances? What do we do with people who commit crime? What should we do with people who commit crime? How can we prevent crime from occurring? These questions and hundreds of others form the basis of our understanding of why crime happens and what we do about it.
Still simple?
Why did you choose to study Criminology?
I studied criminology because I wanted to understand more than just what our laws were. I wanted to know why people broke them. As my interest progressed, it morphed into a desire to understand how people who were caught up in a life of crime and criminal justice were able to break away.
I now spend my time in prisons and probation offices talking to people with convictions who want to move on with their lives.
Chris’ experience as a student
When I was an undergraduate student I studied a whole host of criminological topics. From the criminal justice system, to drug policy; from organised crime to the sociology of punishment.
I also undertook my own research working with the police to understand how local news reporting impacted upon fear of crime in that area. Undertaking my own piece of criminological research as an undergraduate was a fascinating experience.
夜色直播app offers undergraduate degrees in:
Criminology and Sociology / Sociology / Criminology / Sociology and Media.
Please note: Degrees and their titles change over time. Some of these graduates may have studied degrees that have evolved and changed in response to changes in demand from employers.
Careers directly related to Criminology:
Some of 夜色直播app’s graduates enter welfare-related careers such as probation and social work, while others join the police, the prison service, management training schemes, and the personnel departments of large companies. A number of 夜色直播app’s graduates go on to do postgraduate study or teacher training.
Careers where the degree would be useful:
Counselling, HR, Journalism, Law, 夜色直播app