C-SHINE is a leading interdisciplinary research theme within the Department of Sociology at Durham University. The theme brings together criminology researchers from across the department whose work explores the causes, consequences and governance of crime, social harm and inequality in contemporary societies.
Our research moves beyond narrow understandings of crime and victimisation to explore how broader forms of social harm and injustice are experienced by marginalised and disadvantaged communities. We investigate how inequalities shape experiences of victimisation, offending, criminalisation and access to justice, while developing evidence-based approaches that can inform policy, practice and social change.
Members of C-SHINE work closely with people and families who have, or are at risk of, contact with the criminal justice system, as well as police services, prisons, probation, health providers, local authorities, third-sector organisations and international partners to produce research that has both academic and real-world impact. Through collaborative and interdisciplinary research, the group seeks to improve understanding of contemporary social problems and contribute to more equitable and effective responses across criminal justice, health and welfare systems.
Research Themes
Amplifying marginalised voices
Researchers within this theme are focused on improving the lives of those who have, or are at risk of, experience of the criminal justice system. We aim to design research that is informed by people who are most affected by social harm. We draw upon a range of creative methodologies and methods that include participatory action research (PAR), co-production, ethnography, biographical research, theatre as method, diaries, photography, scrapbooks, AI assisted methods, as well as more traditional quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Amplifying voices that are often under heard and underserved is central to our approach to research.
Policing, Organised Crime and Community Safety
Researchers within this theme examine contemporary policing challenges and the development of evidence-based policing practices. Our work explores police decision-making, organisational culture, diversity and inclusion within police services, and the experiences of underrepresented groups working in policing.
The theme also includes significant research on community policing, organised crime, drug markets, contextual safeguarding, criminal exploitation and emerging forms of offending. Particular strengths include research on county lines, rural organised crime, healthcare equivalence in police custody, and the intersections between organised crime, youth crime, vulnerability and social inequality. Through collaborative partnerships with police services and criminal justice agencies, this research seeks to improve prevention, safeguarding, policing practice and public protection strategies.
Prisons
This theme focuses on the experiences of people within custodial settings and the factors that support successful resettlement and desistance from crime. Research examines the role of education in prisons and in particular, how access to higher education opportunities in prison support rehabilitation and improve life opportunities.
Members of the group also have expertise in familial imprisonment, addressing the harmful ripple effects of imprisonment on children, families and communities. Members of the group also have expertise in women's imprisonment, exploring how intersections of gender, race and class shape experiences of custody, rehabilitation and resettlement. The theme also investigates wider questions concerning penal policy, prison culture, and the impacts of prison on women’s safety and on their physical and mental health.
Forensic Science, Technology and Justice
Researchers within this theme explore the rapidly changing relationship between science, technology and criminal justice. This includes critical examination of emerging forensic technologies, digital policing tools, surveillance systems, AI, and crime prevention innovations.
The research addresses important ethical, legal and social questions concerning technological change, including issues of privacy, accountability, fairness and inequality. By examining both the opportunities and risks associated with new technologies, the theme contributes to debates about the future of justice and public safety.
Health, Crime and Justice
This theme examines the complex relationships between health, inequality and criminal justice involvement. Researchers investigate harms to health and wellbeing impacting justice-involved populations. We are committed to promoting inclusion and reducing social and health inequality by working in partnership with justice-involved communities and the organisations that support them.
Particular strengths include research on health inequalities, stigma harms, substance use, mental health and wellbeing, prisoner resettlement and integrated health and justice systems. The theme seeks to understand how health systems and criminal justice institutions interact and how services can be improved to reduce harm and support recovery, rehabilitation and integration into the community.
Disability, Neurodiversity and Criminology
C-SHINE is internationally recognised for its research on disability, neurodiversity and criminal justice. Researchers examine how disabled people experience disproportionate levels of victimisation, criminalisation and exclusion across the life course.
This work explores the experiences of neurodivergent people, individuals with learning disabilities and those experiencing mental distress within criminal justice settings. Research investigates barriers to justice, institutional discrimination, sexual violence, disability hate crime, domestic abuse perpetrators, child to parent violence, criminal exploitation and pathways into and out of offending. Drawing upon disability studies perspectives, the theme seeks to identify and challenge the structural inequalities that shape disabled people's interactions with criminal justice systems.
Impact and Engagement
C-SHINE researchers work extensively with people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, as well as with police services, prisons, probation services, local authorities, health providers, social workers, charities and international organisations. Our research informs policy development, professional practice and service innovation across criminal justice and social welfare settings. Through collaborative partnerships, knowledge exchange and co-produced research, we seek to generate meaningful social impact and contribute to rights-based and effective responses to crime, harm and inequality.
Theme Lead:
Professor Stephen Macdonald
Group conveners:
Dr Michelle Addison
Dr Briony Anderson
Dr Donna Marie Brown
Dr Alison Jobe
Dr Hannah King
Dr Chris Lawless
Dr Jenny Lloyd
Dr Holly McSpadden
Dr Kate O'Brien
Dr Nicole Renehan
Dr Nikki Rutter
Dr Kate Tudor
Dr Lauren Wroe
PGR Researchers:
Patricia Bartley
Olivia Gough
Phil Hayden
David Reeves
Amy Rogers
Postgraduate researcher Jack Simmonds discusses his research into the lived experience of young LGBTQ+ people in Manchester and their experiences with the police.
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