Research subjects in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Huddersfield

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Our research covers areas including immigration and crime, penal policy, desistance, organised crime, extremism, victimisation and criminal justice reform. We are committed to producing research that addresses real-world challenges and informs policy and practice.

Whether you're interested in offending behaviour, rehabilitation, social harms, migration or criminal justice policy, you'll benefit from experienced supervision and a supportive research environment designed to help you achieve your research ambitions. 

Key student benefits

• Access internationally recognised expertise across a wide range of criminology and criminal justice topics. 
• Conduct research with real-world impact that informs policy and professional practice. 
• Explore diverse research interests through an established and multidisciplinary research community. 
• Benefit from expert supervision and a supportive postgraduate research environment. 

Policing

Through the Crime and Policing Research Centre, our researchers work closely with police forces and criminal justice organisations across the UK to address some of the most significant challenges facing modern policing.

We are particularly recognised for our research into police health and wellbeing, producing influential work that supports police organisations, informs policy and improves the wellbeing of officers and staff.

Our research focuses on delivering practical solutions to real-world challenges, with expertise spanning: 

• police health and wellbeing
• crime prevention and investigation
• police education and leadership
• organisational culture and workforce development
• evidence-based policing.

Working closely with policing partners ensures our research remains relevant to practitioners and decision-makers. Postgraduate researchers benefit from joining a diverse research community that includes both aspiring academics and experienced policing professionals, creating an environment where academic expertise and professional experience come together to generate impactful research.

Industry links

• West Yorkshire Police
• Police Service for Northern Ireland
• Home Office

Research environment and culture

As a postgraduate researcher, you'll be part of a vibrant research community, working alongside approachable academics with expertise across criminology, policing, prisons, probation and the wider criminal justice system.

Through the Crime and Policing Research Centre, you'll have opportunities to engage in the following.

• Research seminars, workshops and conferences, connecting with academic and practitioner audiences.
• Collaborative research and publication opportunities, helping you build your academic profile.
• Professional development and teaching experience, preparing you for a range of future careers.
• A supportive network of academics and researchers, committed to helping you achieve your goals.

We see postgraduate researchers as valued members of our research community. Beyond completing your thesis, you'll be supported to develop the knowledge, experience, professional networks and skills needed to pursue careers in academia, research, policy or leadership across the criminal justice sector.

Notable projects

Recent and ongoing research

• Police health and wellbeing research with the National Police Wellbeing Service, exploring how organisations can better support officers, staff, recruits and their families.
• Work with West Yorkshire Police examining wellbeing within Scientific Support Services and identifying ways to better support specialist personnel.
• Research with the Home Office on responses to serious and organised crime, contributing to national policy and operational practice.
• Collaborative projects with UK police forces, including the Metropolitan Police Service and Durham Constabulary, exploring how custody environments can be improved to enhance detainee experiences and outcomes.
• Research into emerging technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence to support roads policing and evidence-based decision making.
• Data-driven studies examining issues such as the relationship between school exclusion and later contact with the police, providing insights into opportunities for early intervention.

These projects reflect the breadth of expertise within the Centre and our commitment to producing research that delivers meaningful impact across policing, criminal justice and society.