Criminology
Criminology at Queen’s is internationally recognised for its research contributions and teaching excellence.
Criminology asks difficult questions about criminal law, its enforcement and harmful behaviours. For instance, what is crime? Who is a criminal? Are all harmful behaviours illegal? What are the consequences of offending? Does punishment deter crime or create more harm? Queen’s University Belfast provides an exciting place to study these questions, as the history of conflict in Northern Ireland provides unique insights into how offending and the criminal justice system can be shaped by wider sociological and political issues. Students in the School are educated in a dynamic, supportive environment by award-winning teaching staff, who are committed to helping students achieve their potential. Moreover, Queen’s University Belfast has a long history of undertaking outstanding research and teaching in criminology, with particular expertise in the areas of youth justice, policing, victimology, international criminology justice, conflict, alcohol and drug use, trauma, and imprisonment. In all our work, we seek to better understand the causes of crime, societal responses to crime and the consequences of crime, drawing on psychological and sociological perspectives. Special attention is also paid to questioning whether existing methods used to respond to crime are effective in combatting crime or may exacerbate offending.
Additionally, staff are engaged in world-leading and internationally excellent research. Over 88% of research submitted by colleagues from Criminology, Social Policy, Sociology and Social Work to the Social Policy and Social Work Unit of Assessment (UoA) in an independent government review of research was judged to be world-leading or internationally excellent. This demonstrates the quality of our research and its impacts in areas, such as the penal system, mental health, and trauma. This research has been ranked 12th in the UK (Times Higher Education Social Work and Social Policy UoA table) and is undertaken in partnership with the criminal justice, health and social care sectors.
IN THE UK
IN THE UK
What is Criminology?
Dr John Topping, Queen's University Belfast, asks the question 'What is Criminology?'
Student Experience:
BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology
Listen to what Dana, a third year student, has to say about the course and the student experience, such as what it was like moving from the Philippines to Belfast, and her recommendations for new criminology students.
Student Experience:
BA (Hons) Criminology
Want to know about Criminology at Queen's? Darryl explains why he considers it "a fantastic course'.
Criminology Career Paths
Interested in a career in Criminology?
Carmel Colton from the Careers Service at Queen's University has some advice on potential career paths for those studying for a degree in Criminology.
KEY THEMES
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Academic Staff
Name | Area of Expertise | Telephone | |
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Dr Allely Albert | Restorative Justice; Post-Conflict Peacebuilding; Informal Policing; Prisoner Re-entry; Human Rights | a.albert@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 1858 |
Professor Michelle Butler | Prisons; Psychology of Crime; Penal Reform | michelle.butler@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 3956 |
Dr Mary-Louise Corr | Young People in Conflict with the Law; Youth Justice; Domestic Violence; Homelessness; Marginalised youth; Biographical Research. | m.corr@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 5370 |
Dr Teresa Degenhardt | Criminology of War; Policing/Military Continuum; Social Control | t.degenhardt@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 1244 |
Dr Kevin Hearty | Transitional Justice; Victimology; Political Violence; Critical Criminology; Human Rights; Policing. | k.hearty@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 1176 |
Dr Sarah Jankowitz |
Peacebuilding, Reconciliation and Transitional Justice; Victimology; Gender and social justice | sarah.jankowitz@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 3196 |
Professor Shadd Maruna (on sabbatical leave until summer 2024) |
Prisons & Penal Reform; Psychology of Crime; Penal Reform; Desistance from Crime | s.maruna@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 5986 |
Dr Siobhan McAlister | Young People in Conflict with the Law; Youth Marginalisation; Sensitive Research; Children’s Rights. | s.mcalister@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 5918 |
Professor Andrew Percy | Quantitative Criminology; Adolescent Development; Longitudinal Research; and Alcohol and Drug Use. | a.percy@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 5261 |
Dr John Topping | Police Practice; Police Reform; Security Governance and Stop/Search. | j.topping@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 3630 |
Dr Julia Viebach |
International Criminal Justice, Transitional Justice, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Mass Graves, Human Rights Documentation, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Epistemologies, African Studies |
j.viebach@qub.ac.uk | |
Dr Colm Walsh |
Youth violence; psychological trauma; masculinity; evidence based practice; service design and evaluation. |
colm.walsh@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 3174 |
Research Staff |
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Dr Antoinette Keaney-Bell |
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a.keaney@qub.ac.uk | |
Dr Megan Kelly |
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m.kelly@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 1959 |
Dr David Scott |
Young People in Conflict with the Law; Youth Justice; Mental Health; Diversion and Liaison Services; Evidence Based Practice. |
david.scott@qub.ac.uk | +44 (0)28 9097 5759 |