Overview

The Crime, Justice & Security Research Group aims to produce high-quality, innovative and interdisciplinary research that informs and influences crime and justice policy, strengthens community engagement, and advances social justice. 

Issues of crime, justice and security remain at the forefront of public interest and political debate in Scotland and the wider United Kingdom: from the increasing prison population and the role of the prison to the pernicious impact and persistence of organised crime across communities. Criminal justice responses to such issues frequently fail to adequately address and respond to the needs of both victims and those who offend. The Crime, Justice & Security Research Group produces high-quality research that critically examines contemporary challenges, including gender-based violence, extremism and organised crime, and aims to provide an evidence-base to tackle these issues. 

CONTACT DETAILS

Dr Maria Sapouna
Email address: maria.sapouna@uws.ac.uk
School: Education and Social Sciences

Dr Colin Atkinson
Email address: colin.atkinson@uws.ac.uk
School: Education and Social Sciences 

Research Themes

Our activity focuses primarily on the following areas:

This cluster promotes, coordinates, and produces high-quality research on young people, trauma, domestic abuse, mental health, wellbeing, migration and related challenges.

This cluster promotes, coordinates, and produces high-quality research on the role of local communities as well as statutory and third sector agencies in addressing crime and social issues, with a focus on achieving fairness and equality in society, addressing systemic inequalities and environmental harms, promoting human rights, and advocating for the rights of marginalised groups and hidden communities. An important area of research in this cluster is the focus on the policies, practices and legislation that create the conditions for people to move away from criminal behaviour. The cluster also conducts research on the role and function of the prison system and alternatives to prison in reducing crime. 

This cluster promotes, coordinates, and produces high-quality research on current and emerging forms of organised crime, including for example drug trafficking and human trafficking, with a focus on reducing community harms from illicit markets and criminal enterprises. The cluster conducts interdisciplinary research on a range of online crimes, including hacking, phishing, ransomware, identity theft, and online fraud. Broadening the global focus, the intersection of both organised crime and cybercrime is a focus of research, including how technological innovations will require appropriate regulatory frameworks. 

This cluster promotes, coordinates, and produces high-quality research on a wide range of policing issues: from policing leadership, strategies and organisational reforms to technology, training and education. An important area of research in this cluster is the focus on crime investigation, nurturing local and international research on criminal behaviour, forensic science, crime scene management and interview methods. By focussing on producing policy-relevant research with an impact on practice, this cluster develops evidence-based insights and recommendations to inform and improve policing for communities. 

Current Projects

Adolescent stalking experiences: a qualitative exploration of the nature, impact and support needs of victims and perpetrators in Scotland

This is a BA Small Grant Scheme-funded project, currently in progress. It is led by Dr Robert McLean and Dr Karen Cooper.

In partnership with Scotland's dedicated stalking charity, Action Against Stalking the study explores the experiences of stalking amongst a sample of adolescents aged 14-19 residing in Scotland, and the work of practitioners who support them. Examining the socio-psychological impacts of stalking; the perpetrator-victim nexus; and the existing availability of support, the work contributes to academic and legal debates by exploring whether stalking aligns with other adolescent on- and offline bullying and sexual risk-taking. 

The findings will inform co-produced age and gender appropriate training materials to enhance practitioner responses to these behaviours. 

Risk and Protective Factors of Abuse among People with Dementia: A Systematic Review

This is a RS Macdonald funded project led by Dr Heather and Dr Maria Sapouna.

The project involves conducting a systematic review that critically synthesises the existing literature on risk and protective factors of abuse among people with dementia to inform effective and evidence-based prevention. 

Members

Alannah Graham
Topic: Public perceptions of online misogynistic content 

Anna Ramsay
Topic: Transphobic hate crime 

Margarita Permonaite 
Topic: Lived experiences of everyday bordering in Scotland

Amanda Muir
Topic: Desistance among ethnic minority women

Anam Abbas
Topic: Corporate Misconduct in Multinational Enterprises

Aureol Gillan
Topic: Recovery and desistance from alcohol dependence

Alexander Johnstone 
Topic: The drug expert witness impact on drug narratives and court outcomes

Prakash Lopchan
Topic: Bullying among children with disabilities in Nepal

Catherine Onyinyechi Chinedu
Topic: The role of social media advocacy in reducing GBV in Nigeria 

Last updated: 14/11/2025