Professor Ross Deuchar
Professor in Education (research)
Background
Ross Deuchar is Professor of Research in Education. His research falls within the intersection between education, sociology and criminology and he is widely known for his work on issues of youth identity and citizenship, with a particular focus on youth justice and crime. His recent work has focused on the sociology of gangs, marginalised young people, issues of territoriality and youth offending. He is the author of the book ‘Gangs, Marginalised Youth and Social Capital’ (2009, Trentham) and has written numerous articles in academic journals with a particular focus on citizenship and on gangs, sectarianism and youth justice. He is often called upon by the broadcast media as a commentator and regularly writes for popular media outlets on these issues. He delivers a range of continual professional development courses focused on managing group and gang conflict with young people and the building of multi-agency collaborative partnerships as a means of tackling issues of youth violence and territoriality. These courses are aimed at youth workers and coaches, teachers, social workers and police officers. He is currently the President of the Scottish Educational Research Association (SERA) and is also a member of the British Educational Research Association (BERA) Council, the European Educational Research Association (EERA) Council, the British Sociological Association, British Society of Criminology and European Society of Criminology. In March 2010, Ross was one of four runners-up for the ESRC’s prestigious Michael Young Prize in recognition of his research into gang culture in the West of Scotland.
Current Teaching
Ross lectures on a wide range of youth studies issues, with a particular focus on youth gangs, youth offending and issues of social capital. He delivers CPD courses on anti-territoriality and youth gang culture for youth workers, coaches and police officers. He is an Academic Associate for the Scottish Institute of Policing Research (SIPR) and delivers a course on ‘Working Collaboratively within Partnerships’ as part of the Leadership Development Programme for senior police officers delivered at the Scottish Police College. He delivers a range of CPD courses on enterprise/citizenship education and leadership and management skills in local authorities, schools and youth organisations and delivers seminars, workshops and tutorials to undergraduate teachers, sports development and criminology students on sociological theories and on gang culture and youth offending.
Ross delivers lectures, seminars and tutorials on social research methods and on academic writing for undergraduate, Masters / Doctoral students and academic staff, with a particular focus on qualitative approaches. He has particular expertise at using NVivo qualitative analysis software, and delivers introductory seminars and training programmes on this software. Ross supervises research at both Masters and Doctoral level and would be interested in receiving enquiries about studies relating to youth, criminal justice, social capital and inclusive education.
Current Research
Ross has recently completed a study focused on exploring the impact of curfews and electronic monitoring on young offenders, funded by the Carnegie Trust of the Universities of Scotland. His current research is focused on the cultural consumption of young offenders and the impact of short-term custodial sentences on their social capital, agency and wellbeing. He is also involved in a small-scale study examining which factors within an informal education (youth work) and schools partnership are critical in working with young people who have a propensity to engage in gang-related and anti-social behaviour. He also has interests in issues of ethnicity and mono-ethnic gang culture.
Recent Publications
Books
Deuchar, R. (2009) Gangs: Marginalised Youth and Social Capital . Stoke on Trent: Trentham.*
"If you are looking for a book that focuses on solutions to the "gang problem" and how to re-engage marginalised, disenfranchised young people, then this book will be of value... Deuchar is skilled at interviewing young people and he presents the accounts of those in his sample with empathy and a clear commitment to defending their corner' - THES.
Deuchar, R. (2007) Citizenship: Enterprise and Learning harmonising competing educational agendas. Stoke on Trent: Trentham.*
'A well considered, well-argued and ultimately worthwhile contribution to the literature on citizenship... a refreshingly easy read' - London Review of Education.
'A very thought-provoking, readable and useful book, which offers value to policy makers, academics and to practising teachers' - Centrelink
*Cover images reproduced by permission of Trentham Books, Stoke on Trent
Peer-Reviewed Journals
Deuchar (2012) (forthcoming)The impact of curfews and electronic monitoringon the social strains, support and capital experienced by youth gang members and offenders in the West of Scotland. Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Deuchar, R. (2011) (in press) ‘People look at us, the way we dress, and they think we’re gangsters’: bonds, bridges, gangs and refugees - a qualitative study of inter-cultural social capital in Glasgow, Journal of Refugee Studies 24(4). View Journal
Deuchar, R. (2011) Scottish educational research: past, present and future challenges. Research Intelligence 115 (Summer): 8-9. View Journal
Holligan, C. and Deuchar, R. (2011) Contested urban spaces: exploring the analytics of young persons' experiences of living in Glasgow's deprived zones, Pastoral Care in Education 29 (2): 67-82. View Journal
Deuchar, R. (2010) It's just pure harassment...as if it's a crime to walk in the street: anti-social behaviour, youth justice and citizenship - the reality for young men in the east end of Glasgow, Youth Justice, 10(3): 258-274. View Journal
Deuchar, R. and Holligan, C. (2010) Gangs, sectarianism and social capital: a qualitative study of young people in Scotland, Sociology, 44(1): 13-30. View Journal
Holligan, C. and Deuchar, R. (2009) Territorialities in Scotland: perceptions of young people in Glasgow, Journal of Youth Studies, 12 (6): 727-742. View journal
Deuchar, R. (2009). The outsiders, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) Journal, Autumn. View article
Deuchar, R. (2009). Urban youth cultures and the re-building of social capital: illustrations from a pilot study in Scotland. A Journal of Youth Work, 1:7-22. View article
Deuchar, R. (2009). Seen and heard, and then not heard: Scottish pupils' experience of democratic educational practice during the transition from primary to secondary school, Oxford Review of Education, 34(5): 23-40. View journal
Deuchar, R. (2008) Facilitator, director or critical friend? Contradiction and congruence in doctoral supervision styles, Teaching in Higher Education, 13(4): 489-500.View journal
Deuchar, R. (2008) 'All You Need Is An Idea!': the impact of values-based participation on pupils' attitudes towards sopcial activism and enterprise. Improving Schools, 11(1): 19-32. View article
Deuchar, R. (2006) Not only this, but also that!: Translating the social and political motivations underpinning enterprise and citizenship education into Scottish schools. Cambridge Journal of Education, 36 (4): 533-547. View journal
Maitles, H. & Deuchar, R. (2006) "We don't learn democracy, we live it!": Consulting the pupil voice in Scottish schools. Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, 1 (3): 249-266. View article
Deuchar, R. (2005) Fantasy Or Reality: The Use Of Enterprise In Education As An Alternative To Simulated And Imaginary Contexts For Raising Pupil Attainment In Functional Writing, Educational Review , 57(1): 91-104.View journal.
Deuchar, R. (2004) Reconciling Self-Interest And Ethics: The Role of Primary School Pupil Councils, Scottish Educational Review, 36(2): 159-168. View journal
Deuchar, R. (2004) Changing paradigms: The Potential of Enterprise Education As An Adequate Vehicle For Promoting And Enhancing Education For Active And Responsible Citizenship: Illustrations From A Scottish Perspective, Oxford Review of Education, 30(2), 223-239. View journal
Deuchar, R. (2003) Preparing Tomorrow's People - The New Challenges of Citizenship Education For Involving Scottish Pupils And Teachers In Participative Decision-Making Processes, Scottish Educational Review, 35(1): 27-37.
Book Chapters
Deuchar, R. (2012) (in press) Gangs and territorialism, in: Maitles, H. and Cowan, P. (eds.) Teaching Controvesial Issues in the Classroom: Key Issues and Debates. London: Continuum.
Deuchar, R. (2011) (in press) Gangs, youth offending and social capital: tales of Glasgow’s lost boys, in: C. Bassani (ed.) Adolescent Behaviour. New York: Nova.
Deuchar, R. (2010) Prevention through formal and informal education, in: M. Herzog-Evans (ed.) Transnational Criminology Manual: Volume III. Netherlands: Wolf Legal Publishers.
Deuchar, R. & Maitles, H. (2008). Education For Citizenship, in Bryce, T.G.K & Humes, W.M (eds.) Scottish Education (3rd edition): Beyond Devolution. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Deuchar, R. and Maitles, H. (2007) We’re citizens now!: the development of positive values through a democratic approach to learning, in: H. Maitles (Ed.) Exploring Cultural Perspectives in Education. Edmonton, AB: ICRN Press.
Maitles, H. & Deuchar, R. (2005). It's Not Fair! Anyway, We've Got Rights!, in Hancock, R. & Collins, J. (eds), Primary Teaching Assistants: Learners And Learning. London: Fulton.
Media Articles
Deuchar, R. (2011) Early intervention is essential to save lost boys, The Herald: Society, 25 January.
Deuchar, R. (2010) Brave new approach to ending violence. The Scotsman, 5 April.
Deuchar, R. (2010). Short jail sentences lock us into repeated cycles of crime. The Herald, 14 December. View article
Deuchar, R. (2009). Recognising the rich cultural diversity of Scotland's population. The Scotsman, 28 November. View article
Deuchar, R. (2009). United front can help youngsters escape violence. The Herald, 27 February. View article
Deuchar, R. (2008) Gangland culture has embraced internet age. Sunday Post, 14 December.
Deuchar, R. (2008) Second chance for many normally sent off in despair, TESS, 27 June.View article
Deuchar, R. (2008). It's a jungle out there for the teenage territorials. The Herald: Society, 10 June. View article
Deuchar, R. (2007) Don't ban young ones from TV - it can inspire play. TESS, 17 August.View article
Deuchar, R. (2007) Put the ball in the pupils' court. TESS, 22 June. View article
Deuchar, R. (2007) Wise words from mouths of babes. The Scotsman, 25 April.
Deuchar, R. (2007) The Children who are re-writing the school rule book. The Herald: Society, 24 April.
Deuchar, R. (2007) Good citizens in the making. TESS, 6 April. View article
Deuchar, R. (2007) Equip teachers to be more enterprising. TESS, 16 March. View article
Deuchar, R. (2006) Let pupils take the lead. TESS, 10 March. View article
Deuchar, R. (2005) Summit of ambition must reach higher. TESS, 15 July. View article
Deuchar, R. (2005) Pupils deserve all the rights of citizenship. The Herald: Society, 19 April 2005.
Deuchar, R. (2005) Talk is not cheap but it's so valuable, TESS, 28 January. View article
Project Reports
Deuchar, R. (2010) The Impact of Curfews and Restriction of Liberty Orders (RLOs) on Young Gang Members in Glasgow. Dunfermline: Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. View report
Deuchar, R. and Holligan, C. (2008). Social Capital Issues and Sectarianism: The Possible Existence and Nature of a Sectarian Habitus among Young People. London: British Academy. View report: Social Capital Issues
Boyd, B; Dunlop, A.W.; Mitchell, J.; Logue, J.; Gavienas. E; Seagreaves, L.; Clinton, C.; and Deuchar, R. (2007). Curriculum Architecture - A Literature Review. Glasgow: University of Strathclyde. View report
Boyd, B; Dunlop, A.W.; Skinner, D.; Deuchar, R.; Mitchell, J. and Smith, I. (2006) A Literature Review of Models of Curriculum Change. Glasgow: University of Strathclyde.
Brownlow, L., Deuchar, R., Forster, M., Paterson, M. & Weir, D.(2004) Schools Enterprise Programme Research Project: The Educational and Economic Benefits of Enterprise Education. Glasgow: University of Strathclyde.
Recent Conference Presentations
Deuchar, R. (2011) Bridging the Gap:The Impact of Informal, Youth Work Strategies in Challenging Anti-Social Behaviour within a Formal Educational Setting. European Educational Research Conference (ECER), Freie Universitat, Berlin, 12-17 September.
Deuchar, R. (2011) Gangs, Youth Offending and Social Capital: Tales of Glasgow’s Lost Boys. York Deviancy Conference, University of York, 29 June -1 July.
Deuchar, R. (2011) Snacks, Sandwiches and Binges: The Journey towards Writing for Publication. Association of Chartered Teachers Scotland (ACTS) Teachers as Writers, University of the West of Scotland, 11 June.
Deuchar, R. (2011) Gangs: A Protective Environment? BASPCAN ‘Protecting Scotland’s Children – Protecting Scotland’s Future’, University of the West of Scotland, 3 June.
Deuchar, R. and Welsh, A. (2011) Researcher / Practitioner Collaborations and the Impact on Professionalism: An Enterprising Journey, STEC Annual Conference: Towards a New Professionalism, Stirling Management Centre, 20 April.
Deuchar, R. (2011) Learning to Write Again: Moving from Thesis to Publication. Association of Chartered Teachers Scotland (ACTS) Winter Conference: Inspiring Leaders of Learning, Stirling Management Centre, 5 February.
Deuchar, R. (2010) ‘Nae wonder we don’t like them, when they come in and try and bomb Glasgow airport …’: Youth gangs, Racism and Inter-cultural Social Capital in Glasgow. British Educational Research Association (BERA), University of Warwick: 1-4 September.
Deuchar, R. (2010) 'The curfew was hard...because you know you can go oot but you can't': The Impact of Curfews and Restrictions of Liberty on Young Gang Members in the West of Scotland. Mind The Gap: Conversations on Youth Work and Youth Studies, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow: 7-9 September.
Deuchar, R. (2010) The Impact of Curfews and Restriction of Liberty Orders (RLOs) on Young Gang Members in Glasgow. British Society of Criminology (BSC), University of Leicester: 12-14 July.
Catts, R., Coburn, A., Deuchar, R., McGinley, B. (2009). What a capital idea: exploring the needs of (disadvantaged) young people, Scottish Educational Research Association (SERA), Royal George Hotel, Perth: 26-28 November.
Deuchar, R. (2009). 'Move on or you're getting jailed': anti-social behaviour, gangs and the social exclusion of youth. Educational Research (ECER), University of Vienna: 28-30 September.
Deuchar, R. (2009) ‘It’s just pure harassment, as if it’s a crime to walk in the street’: anti-social behaviour, gangs and marginalised youth, British Society of Criminology (BSC), City Hall, Cardiff: 29 June-1 July.
Deuchar, R. (2009) ‘I think some of them get paranoid when they see us, because of the stuff on TV’: the demonization of young people in Scottish urban communities. Children’s Identity and Citizenship in Europe (CiCE), University of Malmo, Sweden: 21-23 May.
Deuchar, R. (2008). "If you step into somebody else's scheme, then may be you'll get attacked": Territorialism, social capital and marginalized youth in Glasgow. Scottish Educational Research Association (SERA), Royal George Hotel, Perth: 27-29 November.
Deuchar, R. (2008). Glasgow gangs: what is the attraction? Southbank Child Development Centre Conference, Glasgow: 26 November.
Deuchar, R. (2008). "We need to cross to the other side and there are gangs there": A study of social capital, gangs and marginalised youth in Glasgow. European Conference on Educational Research (ECER), University of Gothenburg, Sweden: 10-12 September.
Deuchar. R. (2007). A "third way" for education? The impact and challenges of implementing a harmonized model of citizenship and enterprise education. British Education Research Association (BERA) , Institute of Education: University of London: 5-9 September.
Maitles, H. & Deuchar, R. (2007) "Why do they never listen to us?" Participation and democratic practice in schools. Children's Identity and Citizenship in Europe (CiCE): Citizenship Education in Society, Universite Paul-Valery, Montpellier: 24-26 May.
Maitles, H. & Deuchar, R. (2007) "We've got rights!": Pupils' experience of democratic educational practice in primary and secondary schools. International Cultural research network (ICRN), University of Strathclyde: 3-6 May.
Maitles, H. & Deuchar, R. (2007) "In primary schools we used to have assembly every week and discussed the pupil council ... but here we don't get told!" : Pupils' experience of democratic educational practice in primary and secondary schools. International Transitions Research Conference, University of Strathclyde: 11-14 April.
Deuchar, R.(2006) Facilitator, director or critical friend?: A case study of doctoral supervision styles and candidate needs. Scottish Educational Research Association (SERA), Royal George Hotel, Perth: 23-25 November.
Research Grant Income
Deuchar, R. (2010). The impact of curfews and restriction of Liberty Orders (RLOs) on young gang members in Glasgow. Carnegie Trust/University of Strathclyde award, £550.
Deuchar, R. (2008). Social capital issues and sectarianism: a pilot study into the possible existence and nature of a sectarian habitus among young people. British Academy award SG-48335, £3,406.
Boyd, B.; Dunlop, A.W.; Mitchell, J.; Seagraves, L.; Clinton, C. and Deuchar, R. (2006) Curriculum Architecture: A Literature Review. Scottish Executive award SCH/000/013, £20,642.
Dunlop, A.W.; Boyd, B.; Skinner, D.; Deuchar, R.; Mitchell, J. and Smith, I. (2006) A Literature Review of Models of Curriculum Change. Scottish Executive award SCH/000/008, £20,528.50.
Weir, D., Brownlow, L., Deuchar, R., Paterson, M. & Foster, M. (2002). The educational and economic benefits of enterprise education. SEED/Schools Enterprise Programme award, £250,000.