Sights, Sounds and Art: New Directions in Criminal Justice Research

Overview of the Project

A series of four 2-hour seminars were organised by the Centre for Criminological Research, University of Sheffield which ran throughout September – December 2021. These monthly events were organised to explore the use of innovative research methods in criminology and criminal justice. Specifically, this series sought to explore beyond the use of textual sources and explore how the sights and sounds of criminal justice are represented in criminology and to explore how art can challenge and advance the boundaries of criminal justice scholarship. The seminar series was generously supported by the British Society of Criminology and the School of Law, University of Sheffield.

The seminar series brought together some of the leading UK-based academics who were involved in research projects which utilised innovative research methods using sights, sounds, and art or which disseminated research using these forums. The first seminar series examined the ‘sights’ of criminal justice. Dr Maggie Wykes (Sheffield) and Dr Michael Fiddler (Greenwich) presented their work on visual methods, including an analysis of visual and audio-visual materials, as well as photo elicitation techniques, where research participants capture their experiences in images rather than words. In the second seminar of the series, Dr Leila Ullrich (Queen Mary’s), Dr Kate Herrity (Cambridge) and Dr Mark Brown (Sheffield) examined how sounds of criminal justice explore how the ‘sounds of criminal justice’ have become both tools to collect research but also how ‘sounds of criminal justice’ can help us to understand the criminal justice institutions and phenomena.

The third seminar in the series, focused on the dual role of art in generating criminal justice data and as a means of disseminating research findings. Dr Roxana Willis (Oxford), Dr Lambros Fatsis (Brighton), Dr Layla Skinns (Sheffield) and Charlie Barnes (Dead Earnest Theatre) examined this theme from the perspective of forum theatre, the use of rap music with criminal trials and art as a means to effect change amongst criminal justice practitioners. The final seminar was a keynote address by Dr Jo Deakin (Manchester). Dr Deakin drew on themes from throughout the seminar series alongside her own experiences of conducting research using innovative methods in three separate research projects.

Statement of Outcomes

Dissemination of innovative research methods

The seminar series brought together active researchers to discuss the use of innovative research methods in criminal justice research. Attendees to the seminar series included early career scholars, academics, criminal justice practitioners and individuals from charitable organisations. Attendees shared an interest in adopting or utilising some of the innovative techniques of data collection and research dissemination during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. These seminars generated much discussion on the use of sights, sounds and art in criminal justice research and given the comments in the Zoom chat box was helpful for many of the participants.

Supporting researchers and promoting collaboration

A mailing list of attendees and other individuals who have expressed an interest in participating in future discussions has been established and we will endeavour to maintain discussions on the future directions of criminal justice research by organising future events and seeking to facilitate collaborations.

Increasing accessibility

To increase accessibility of criminology events, this seminar series employed live-British Sign Language interpretation at all of the seminars. In addition, and to supplement the accessibility, a transcript of each talk was produced and made available on the Centre for Criminological Research website and is accessible via this link: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ccr/events/sights-sounds-and-art

Adopting hybrid delivery for innovative research methods

The seminar series adopted a hybrid method of hosting speakers and attendees. Two events planned to be online-only events using Zoom, and two events were scheduled to take place using a hybrid format of online access via Zoom and in-person at the University of Sheffield. Due to Covid-19 precautions, one of the hybrid events needed to be rescheduled to an online only format. Nevertheless, the seminar series proved to be a successful series and enabled a global reach for speakers to disseminate their research and greater accessibility for researchers and members of the public interested in research methods in criminal justice.

Outcomes of the event

The series was attended over by 100 academics, PGR students, criminal justice practitioners and those working for charitable organisations and private sector organisations. The seminar series gained a global reach with attendees joining from the UK, India, Italy, USA, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Finland, Slovenia, Netherlands and Norway.

PowerPoint slides used by each of the speakers have been shared on the Centre for Criminological Research website. Due to the hybrid nature of these events, video recordings of the talks were also able to be created and made available on the CCR website.

A blog was produced from each seminar (Sights, Sounds, Art and the keynote seminar). The blogpost provides a summary of the seminar and was kindly produced by a PGR from the Centre for Criminological Research at the University of Sheffield or by a volunteer attending the seminar series. PowerPoint slides, video recordings, transcripts and blogposts can be accessed using this link: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ccr/events/sights-sounds-and-art.

Each of the seminars in this series was live-tweeted by a member of the Centre for Criminological Research and by attendees at the seminars using the hashtag #CrimMethods.

The seminar series provided opportunities for networking between researchers and attendees. A large number of early-career researchers and academics were able to attend the events from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds. Attendees were able to hear about and reflect on some of the most contemporary research studies being undertaken around the themes of ‘Sights’, ‘Sounds’ and ‘Art’ of criminal justice (some of which was significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions).

The Criminalisation of Dissent: A Closing Space for Civil Society?

Overview of the project

A public seminar and roundtable event on the criminalisation of protest and dissent in Britain was held on 1 March 2019 at the University of Brighton. It was supported by joint funding from the British Society of Criminology and the university’s Centre for Spatial, Environmental and Cultural Politics. Funding supported research dissemination by several invited speakers and a networking opportunity for academics, activists and solicitors with a shared interest in the ‘right to protest’.

The primary aim of the day-long event was to build research capacity in Britain. It was noted that whilst in North America and Western Europe the criminalisation of dissent has been researched extensively, this was much less so the case in England and Wales. To address this, the seminar and roundtable brought together some of the key UK-based experts on protest, direct action, repression, policing and law.

The day provided us with an open and friendly forum to

• discuss, map and evaluate trends in state responses to protest and dissent
• encourage networking and collaborations, especially of senior and early career researchers and to include activists, civil liberties campaigners and practicing lawyers
• disseminate research findings and develop questions for future research

The morning seminar was focused on three case studies – the policing of anti-fracking protest, the trial of anti-deportation activists known as the Stansted 15 and the infiltration of activist groups by undercover police officers. Will Jackson (LJMU) and Joanna Gilmore (York) presented work-in-progress reports from their research at fracking sites in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. Graeme Hayes (Aston) presented a collaborative project based on observations during the Stansted 15 trial. Mike Schwarz (Bindmans) and Lydia Dagostino (Kellys) updated participants on the (lack of) progress made by the public inquiry into undercover policing. They represent non-state core participants in the inquiry.

The afternoon was focus on developing shared research questions and making further plans for a research network.

Statement of Outcomes

Build capacity. The event included a mapping exercise to outline areas of knowledge and expertise, open questions for theoretical and empirical investigation and situate key developments in law, (policing) practice and case studies in relation to the criminalisation of dissent in Britain. This will inform future discussions and collaborations

Build networks. The event brought together established researchers in the area with early career scholars, postgraduate researchers and leading defence solicitors who have worked on protest cases. We have set up a mailing list, which we intend to use for ongoing discussion, organising future events and collaborations. The event also contributed to increased links with established research groups internationally, for example through the European Group for the Study of Deviance and Social Control.

Future projects. There are firm plans for a future network meeting in June 2019. Participants are also considering the viability of collaborative funding bids, publications, panel organisation and a designated website.

Impact Summary

• An event report featuring short articles by participants has been published online, coming to a total of 28 pages and serving as a resource for participants: https://blogs.brighton.ac.uk/secp/2019/04/03/a-closing-space-for-civil-society-a-report-on-a-roundtable-discussion-on-the-criminalisation-of-dissent-in-britain-and-beyond-by-francesca-kilpatrick/
• The event was attended by non-affiliated activists and practicing lawyers, promoting the BSC to a non-academic audience.
• ECRs and PGRs were centrally involved in the discussions on the day, as well as its organization.
• Participants drafted a letter to the Sir John Mitting, the Chair of the Undercover Policing Inquiry. The letter highlights the academic interest in accessing data held by the Inquiry for academic study.

Procedural Justice in Policing: Insights, Complexities and Future Priorities: A One-Day Symposium

1          Overview of the Project

‘Procedural justice in Policing: Insights, Complexities and Future Priorities’ was a one-day Symposium held at the University of the West of Scotland’s Paisley Campus on 5th December 2018. The event was supported by joint funding from the British Society of Criminology (BSC) and the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR). The symposium had 30 participants, including academics, senior police officers from Police Scotland, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland as well as those working for local authorities and third sector organisations. The symposium included an academic keynote from Professor Ben Bradford (UCL, Jill Dando Institute of Security and Crime Science) Public responses to police use of force: The promise and the limits of ‘policing by consent’ and a practice-based keynote from Chief Inspector Moffatt (Police Scotland) How the rubber hits the road; delivering a values-based police service in Scotland. In addition, there were three panel sessions with 10 papers in total. Sessions included a Q&A enabling speakers and delegates to share insights from research and practitioner enquiry. Of the presenters, 7 were from English universities, 2 from Scottish universities and one represented Griffith University, Australia.

Funding supported, inter alia, a travel bursary for a Professional Doctoral student, Anthony Laird, from the University of Portsmouth, who delivered his paper Policing in Finland, Procedural Justice or Societal Norm? and was travelling from Helsinki. He reported that he “found this symposium to have been of great value both as a source of learning, and as an opportunity to network with, and get feedback from, an extremely knowledgeable and inspiring group of people.”

2          Statement of Outcomes

Opening up a shared dialogue among policing scholars and practitioners about the importance of procedural justice, and how best to create evidence-based approaches that support the continued emergence of ethical, rights-based policing in the years to come. Sharing insights into the extent to and ways in which procedural justice principles are currently embedded within police policy and rhetoric, from an international perspective.

‘From the outset, this was clearly a well-planned event. The keynote speakers were particularly well chosen, Chief Inspector Moffatt set the tone for the day from an operational policing ethics perspective.’ (delegate and winner of travel bursary)

‘My colleague…and I thoroughly enjoyed the Procedural Justice in Policing symposium and we intend to harness this learning when developing our approach to Ethics Advisory Panels’ (delegate).

‘Fascinating conference – very interesting talks and well chaired’ (delegate).

‘Very well organized. Great Day. Very informative speakers. Ben Bradford was excellent. Good location (delegate).

Disseminating research insights into the reality of how procedural justice is experienced among diverse groups of citizens and offenders, and the implications for police legitimacy.

Cementing of future, shared aspirations to produce an edited academic collection of research keynotes and symposium papers for further dissemination among policing scholars on the subject of procedural justice in policing.

Main thing taken from the day: ‘how PJ [procedural justice] could be applied to an online environment’ (delegate).

‘Excellent event. Well worth the trip! Lots of ideas to take forward and contacts made. A like-minded bunch, but with sufficient critical challenge (delegate).

Presented ‘a range of perspectives’ (delegate).

Sharing and dissemination of powerpoint slides from keynotes and symposium papers, and an impact report detailing the outcome of the discussions and future action plans emerging from the symposium.

3          Impact Summary

• PowerPoint slides to be hosted on the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) website and British Society of Criminology
• Social media platforms were utilised, with attendees using the hashtag #PJ2018uws
• Attended by members of the wider community, police practitioners and those working for local authorities.
• Opportunities for networking have allowed researchers to forge contacts, with plans for future shared publications and research.
• Having established interest from the speakers, the symposium organisers plan to submit an edited collection featuring academic papers deriving from the symposium. We have been contacted by Routledge with regards to submitting a proposal for their Studies in Policing and Society series. Palgrave Macmillan and Bristol University Press have also expressed an interest in an edited collection on this topic. An edited collection will allow for further dissemination among policing scholars on the subject of procedural justice in policing.

Book of Abstracts  – opens as a pdf file

Symposium Slides

Dr Sara Grace, University of Salford

Professor Ross Deuchar, University of the West of Scotland

3rd Crime and Control Ethnography Symposium

The 3rd Crime and Control Ethnography Symposium was hosted at Goldsmiths, University of London on the 5th and 6th of September 2018, and supported by joint funding from the British Society of Criminology and the Centre for Urban and Community Research at Goldsmiths, University of London. Funding supported digital security training for researchers, and our plenary speakers: Professor Maggie O’Neill (University of York), Professor Shane Blackman (Canterbury Christ Church) and Dr Kate Gooch. We were also delighted that Professor Les Back joined us to take part as our ‘keynote listener’.

The symposium attracted around 50 participants, all undertaking ethnographic research on a diverse array of subjects connecting to issues of crime, control and victimisation. Many were criminologists, but we were pleased to meet new colleagues from cognate disciplines such as geography, urban studies and art. Although many participants hailed from London and the South East, participants also travelled from Canada, Denmark, Belgium and Germany. In spite of long-running threats to criminological ethnography, it is arguably undergoing a period of unprecedented vitality and creativity.

The aim of the symposium is to create a space for open and honest accounts and discussions about ethnographic fieldwork. Inspired by the idea of an ‘unconference’, our sessions encouraged peer-learning and collaboration. In addition to traditional plenary sessions, the symposium included hands-on training into digital security; a walking activity; a panel discussion on supervising ethnographic research, and Les’ provocation as keynote listener. Almost everyone spoke in one of the 8 parallel sessions. Speakers were invited to speak for just 10 minutes on an aspect of fieldwork to begin a group discussion on an aspect of fieldwork on topics such as: negotiating boundaries in research; managing risk; ethnography beyond the text, and access and ethics in institutions.

2) Statement of Outcomes

• Build capacity among researchers to meet the methodological, ethical and legal challenges presented by criminological ethnography. The symposium was preceded by a workshop on digital security for researchers, led by Cryptoparty, offering high level training on best practice in communications and data storage. Professor Shane Blackman contributed a high-level seminar on connecting data and theory in ethnographic research. Professor Maggie O’Neill gave a workshop on arts-based and participatory walking methods.
• Build networks amongst researchers. Cognisant that undertaking ethnographic research on crime and control may be ethically as well as personally challenging, we aimed to make space in which professional support could flourish. As the third Symposium in the series, participants cemented existing networks and built new ones. We have set up a JiscMail mailing list, which we intend to be used for ongoing discussion, organising future symposia, and for forming panels at conferences.
• Future Symposia. There are firm plans for future Crime and Control Ethnography Symposia.

 3) Impact Summary

• Podcast to be hosted on the Centre for Urban and Community research webpage.
• Blog post for the British Society of Criminology webpages.

Dr Jennifer Fleetwood, Lecturer in Criminology, Goldsmiths College

Captured: Documenting Imprisonment

 Overview of the Project: From the 4 –5^th of November, Professor Azrini Wahidin, Dr Sophie Fuggle and Janna Graham, curator of Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery held a successful film festival entitled: Captured: Documenting Imprisonment. The event consisted of a series of screenings with Q&A sessions with directors (and former political prisoners, ex-offenders, activists and academic respondents) and workshops facilitated by the directors aimed at the public interested in the issues or studying film making, criminology and cognate disciplines.

The event succeeded to introduce a public audience to different approaches in the screening and representation of prisons and the experiences of prisoners from that: of political prisoners, female prisoners and other forms of incarceration. The intention here was to produce increased awareness of prison conditions as well as spark debate around the role of the purpose of imprisonment, miscarriages of justice, deaths in custody, filmmaking and the media in changing public perceptions of incarceration and its continued persistence as a response to crime in the UK, Europe and the United States. The event in its aim succeeded to raise public consciousness on salient issues. By using Nottingham Contemporary Arts we widened the reach to people across the community and, in turn, the impact of screening these films provided an open fora to discuss issues of detention and imprisonment.

The screenings shown and the live SKYPED interviews with former prisoners from Attica is much more than about bearing witness and gathering testimonies:  it takes political responsibility and calls the State to account.  This film festival highlights the violence of incarceration, strategies of resistance and grass roots activism that has had the cumulative effect of bringing about change.

Over the two days approximately 300 people attended the event. We also had live coverage from BBC Radio Notts.

In addition a number of papers were presented as  part of the round table discussions  which were in addition to the Q&A sessions.

Statement of Outcomes

• Provided a space to explore key issues in penology, miscarriages of justice, imprisonment, deaths in custody and bearing testimony to the violence of incarceration.
• Brought together former prisoners, ex-political prisoners, prison personnel, academics, directors, film makers in the field with early entrants and PGR researchers.
• Held Skype interviews with former prisoners from Attica.
• Raised the profile of the British Society of Criminology.

The resources supported building capacity of our undergraduate and post graduate students. Students were involved in the organisation and running of the event.

The event was marketed to the public with specific focus on local/regional societies and prison support and advocacy groups such as the Alliance Française, the Shamrock Society, the Black Lives Matter Nottingham, Loughborough Irish Literary Group etc.

The event included the launch of Professor Wahidin’s book: Ex-Combatants, Gender and Peace in Northern Ireland – Women, Political Protest and the Prison Experience: Palgrave Press. The drinks reception was sponsored by Nottingham Trent University, School of Social Sciences.

Outcomes of Event: The intention was to build on the success of this year’s film festival and develop the event into a citywide film festival, screening films and hosting workshops and talks on prison films and documentaries with involvement sought from cinemas such as the Broadway, Cornerhouse and Savoy and funding applications made to the BFI festival fund and the Arts Council.

Beneficiaries: Beneficiates of the event include Early Career and Postgraduate researchers, ex-offenders, established academics in the areas of criminology and criminal justice as well as users/stakeholders from beyond the academy. The event has attracted contributions from outside academia – NGOs, HMP Nottingham, Nottingham Women’s Centre, to name a few.

Impact Summary:

• The organisers have recently submitted a proposal for a special edition which has been accepted.
• Digital recordings of the event were made. Other social media platforms have been utilised such as Twitter and the local media. This has raised the profile of the BSC.
• We are in discussion to host an annual film festival working with Nottingham Contemporary.
• Attended by members of the wider community and NGO’s.

Azrini Wahidin, Nottingham Trent University

Retail crime: International evidence and crime prevention

Overview of the Project: The seminar Retail crime: International evidence and crime prevention took place in Stockholm, 15 September 2016, and presenters ranged from practitioners from Walmart and Swedish retailers to researchers from the UK, the US, Australia, Italy, Brazil and Israel, including a Criminology prize winner). Our goal with this international seminar was to characterize the dynamics of crimes typical in retail and shopping centers. The motivation is that Swedish stores are targeted by 2 million shoplifting cases each year, for a value of SEK 4.6 billion; only 2 percent of these crimes are reported to the police. This pattern is also evident in the UK. According to the British Retail Consortium’s crime survey, the annual bill for retail crime in the UK broke through £600m in 2014, electrical goods, designer clothes, power tools, alcohol and cosmetics constitute the most common types of stolen products (The Guardian, 2015).

The organizer of this seminar was Dr. Vania Ceccato, she was appointed in 2015  as BSC International Ambassador. She is an Associate Professor of the Department of Urban Planning and Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. This seminar was the 5th that Ceccato organized at KTH, and the first jointly sponsored by British Society of Criminology and The Swedish Retail and Wholesale Council.

Statement of Outcomes: The seminar attracted more than 70 participants, academics, safety experts, business, retail, police officers, researchers and students. The seminar facilitated discussion of various topics in retail in a relaxed atmosphere with mingling during lunch time with a few poster presentations. This forum provided both theoretical and practical perspectives on current crime prevention activities directed to crimes that most affect stores, retailers, shopping malls and commercial conglomerations. As such, this event appealed for both academics and practitioners from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds.

Impact Summary

• An edited book by Palgrave “Retail crime: International evidence and crime prevention, edited by the seminar organizer Vania Ceccato and Prof Rachel Armitage, submission September 2017. One of the speakers, Dr Emmeline Taylor, will contribute with a chapter.

• The event was covered by the Department and Campus newsletter (see the article here) and refereed in Stockholm media before and after the event took place. Vania Ceccato was also interviewed by several specialized newspapers and Swedish radio about her research and the seminar.

Vania Ceccato, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.

Future Directions in Victimology

Overview of the Project: In January 2015, Lincoln Law School was pleased to host the first research conference of the British Society of Criminology’s Victims Network. Entitled ‘Future Directions in Victimology’ the conference brought together established experts in victimological research with new entrants to the field (including PGRs and ECRs) to foster collaborative outputs which will help drive the development of contemporary victimology in the UK and further afield. The event also attracted a number of external agencies from the restorative justice and policy spheres. The day began with a thought-provoking keynote address from Prof. Antony Pemberton: Stories of injustice and justice: narrative as a paradigm in victimology. Professor Pemberton argued that that victimology has much to gain from the incorporation and application of recent research into narratives and constructs and theory developed by researchers in this and adjacent fields: themes which would inform a great number of the discussion throughout the day. Other key areas of discussion included victims’ role in transitional and restorative justice systems; psychological approaches and the role of ‘trauma’ in victimisation, as well as victims of crime in UK government policy. The conference also focused attention on the gaps ion our knowledge concerning less widely researched areas of victimisation including sexual violence perpetrated against older people and victims of genocide.

The day was an enormous success for the Network, and we are particularly gratefully to the British Society of Criminology for its assistance in funding the event. Outputs from the day look set to include an edited collection of papers presented as well as strengthening still further research links around victimology in the UK and further afield. Several delegates representing NGOs (including Victims Support and the Restorative Justice Council) have also expressed interest following the event of feeding back what they took from the day to their colleagues to see what they can learn for their own practice.

Statement of Outcomes

• We have approached Palgrave to produce an edited collection from the event. The proposal is presently being considered by reviewers
• Video recordings of the event have been placed online.
• From the event we have developed/contributed to several proposed victimology panels at the Upcoming European Society of Criminology Annual Conference.
• Increased links with the European Society of Criminology Victims Working Group.

Impact Summary

• Several NGOs and other non-academic bodies were represented including Victim Support, Rape Crisis, Youth Offending Teams and the Restorative Justice Council. A number of these contacts have been included as partners in a subsequent ESRC Strategic Network bid to examine the use of restorative justice in cases of environmental victimisation.

Matthew Hall, University of Lincoln