Social Policy & Criminology

Through our teaching and research, the Department of Social Policy and Criminology addresses cutting-edge criminological issues and social policy concerns. The qualifications we’ve developed enable students to learn and think about many familiar (and some less familiar) social problems in new and exciting ways.

Our qualifications take a critical approach to the study of crime. They explore issues related to social justice and inequalities, including who defines crime and how, and whether criminal justice systems serve to protect and promote the interests of certain groups over others. Students will engage with many real-life case studies that help to unpack a range of theories and concepts related to society, governance, crime and social harm. We also consider the potential role of social policy in reducing harm and social inequalities.

Our academics

Our academics are an internationally recognised and diverse team, with interests covering a range of broad themes. These include:

social policy and social justice
migrations, diasporas, transnational communities
crime, harm, criminalisation and criminal justice
regulation, governance, policy process
genders, sexualities, relationships and intimacies.

The work we do is often topical; for example, members of our team conducted the research for The Open University film Grenfell Tower and Social Murder, which won the British Documentary Film Festival’s Life Changing Award 2018, and the OU/BBC co-production The Fires that Foretold Grenfell, which won the Learning on Screen Awards 2019 Broadcast Award.

Our research

We foster a dynamic research culture, driven by a commitment to innovative, high-quality, and socially impactful work. Our research and external engagement are grounded in the principles of fair and ethical partnerships. Guided by a steadfast commitment to social justice, we strive to deliver tangible benefits to society by addressing historic and contemporary injustices in the UK and globally.

Our key research themes include policing, harm and violence, social and personal relationships, gender and sexualities, social inequalities, and social development. Our academics have a strong track record in publishing high-quality monographs, edited collections, journal articles and research reports.

How we work with others

We play a key part in a number of Open University research groups, such as the Harm & Evidence Research Collaboration and Citizenship & Governance. We also bring our expertise to national and international organisations, advising bodies such as Inquest, the International Labour Organisation and Front Line Defenders.