Female forensics worker checking fingerprint on computer screen

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Explore the pioneering work we're doing within our School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

&²Ô²ú²õ±è;‌Teaching | ResearchOur staffExplore our faculty | Contact us

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice was founded in 1992 and is internationally-recognised for its study of crime, its causes, and the societal and personal impact it has. We're the largest criminology department in the UK and we have interdisciplinary expertise in criminological analysis, applied psychology, policing, community justice, penology, risk, security and international and comparative criminal justice.

Our courses and research range from criminology and criminal justice, to counter fraud, forensics, criminal psychology and cybercrime. 

Our mission

  • To enhance and develop knowledge and understanding in the field of criminal justice and criminological studies
  • To further the development of human rights, equal opportunities, integrity and fair treatment within criminal justice and related areas
  • To further the development of democratic governance and accountabilities within criminal justice and related agencies
  • To promote the interests of disadvantaged communities and groups discriminated against, by and within, criminal justice and related areas
  • To promote the development of professionalism and professionalisation within criminal justice and related agencies

Teaching

We provide high quality teaching programmes and facilities, with our well-qualified teaching staff who all have, or are working towards, Fellowship of AdvanceHE.

We have secured strategic investment for the piloting and evaluation of technology enhanced active learning within our undergraduate campus courses.

We're also the main provider of Trainee Probation Officer education in England and Wales, and in 2019 we secured contracts to deliver Police Constable Degree Apprenticeships and degree holder conversion programmes for Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey police (with consortium partners).

We use the latest technologies to deliver eLearning via dedicated tablets combined with Masterclass sessions, and many of our teaching staff are leading research academics in their fields.

We also work closely with the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature in the delivery of combined honours courses with Criminology, and with ºÚÁϳԹÏLaw School.

Explore the full range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees we offer. You can also read about our short courses and CPD programmes in criminal justice studies, or find postgraduate research opportunities on our Criminology postgraduate research degrees page.

Our facilities

The school invests in and engages with the latest technology to support our teaching and learning.

We're home to facilities including:

  • The Forensic Innovation Centre
  • Hydra Immersive Learning Suite
  • Forensic Interviewing Suite
  • Technology Enhanced Active Learning

Police Education Team

Our Police Education Team (PET) delivers high-quality contextualised teaching and learning to new police officers at levels 4-6, as part of a Police Education Consortium with other higher education institutions. 

Two police officers in busy street
Read more

Research

We have a strong international reputation for research and innovation, which feeds into our teaching and makes a positive impact on society. 

Research groups

Explore the work we're doing across our eight groups in Criminology research

Collaboration of Forensic Interviewing Group

The Collaboration examines the best ways to elicit reliable and fulsome information from interviewees in a trauma-informed way and to ensure informed decision-making.

Two police officers in high visibility uniform
Read more

Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Group

We're researching how crime takes place using technology, such as cyber fraud, hacking, online abuse, and its impact on individuals and society. 

Computer hacker working at laptop
Read more

Economic Crime Research Group

We're researching the scale, impact and cost of economic crimes — such as fraud, corruption and money laundering.

man using calculator at desk
Read more

Forensic Science Group

The forensic science research group at the ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is using science to identify, reconstruct and inform how crime is investigated.

Female forensics working studying fingerprint on computer
Read more

Missing Persons Group

We're researching patterns of behaviour that may precede a person going missing and working to improve how cases are handled.

footwear on the beach sand
Read more

Policing Research Group

We're working in collaboration with local, national and international police organisations to research the social, economic and political context in which policing operates.

Two police officers in busy street
Read more

Probation, Prison and Penology Group

The ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is working to better understand the role of punishment & how this links with processes of justice and rehabilitation to promote change.

UNSPLASH STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY - FREE TO USE UNDER THE UNSPLASH LICSENSE.
Read more

Victimology and Ecological Justice Group

We're researching victims and victimisation, inequality, domestic and online abuse, ecological justice, wildlife crime and climate change.

A Pangolin in a cage
Read more
Paul Smith Portrait

Professor Paul Smith

Head of School

Paul1.Smith@port.ac.uk

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Nicholas John Howden Pamment Portrait

Dr Nick Pamment

Director of Innovation

Nick.Pamment@port.ac.uk

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Andrew Robert John Williams Portrait

Dr Andy Williams

Subject Area Lead

Andy.Williams@port.ac.uk

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD Supervisor

Read more

Explore our faculty

Explore the other schools and departments that make up our Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature

Explore the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature, and find out more about the teaching and research activities happening now within the school.

Educational License- Faculty members and Staff members may use, reproduce, archive, modify, and display the asset: for advertising, marketing, promotional, and decoration purposes related solely to the Enterprise, for professional and academic activities related solely to the Enterprise, and not for any other commercial purpose.- Students may use, reproduce, archive, modify, and display the asset in all media, solely in connection with course work at the Enterprise, and not for any other commercial or p
Read more

School of Education, Languages and Linguistics

Explore the School of Education, Languages and Linguistics, and learn more about the teaching and research activities that take place within the school.

Interpreting Training Suite
Read more

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Explore more about the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, teaching and research activities taking place across the faculty's four schools and institutes.

Female students in museum looking at antique boat
Read more about the Faculty

Contact us

To get in touch, please contact our Faculty office.

Phone: +44 (0)23 9284 2992

Email: hss-enquiries@port.ac.uk