School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Explore the pioneering work we're doing within our School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
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 Education and Sociology in the delivery of combined honours courses with Criminology, and with Portsmouth Law School.
To explore the full range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees we offer, visit the Criminology and forensic studies subject area page. 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.
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
Research
We have a strong international reputation for research and innovation, which feeds into our teaching and makes a positive impact on society.
Areas of expertise
Explore the work we're doing across seven areas of expertise in our Criminology research.
Economic crime
Cybercrime and cybersecurity
Forensic interviewing
Forensic science
Missing persons
Probation, prison and penology
Policing
Our research centres
Much of our exceptional research takes place within the following cross-disciplinary research centres – find out more below.
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Centre for Counter Fraud Studies
The Centre for Counter Fraud Studies accommodates the growing interest in counter fraud as a research discipline.
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Centre for the Study of Missing Persons
The Centre for the Study of Missing Persons provides focus for research, knowledge transfer and educational provision in the field.
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Centre of Forensic Interviewing
The Centre of Forensic Interviewing brings together research, teaching and training in the field of interview practice.
Our staff
Explore our faculty
Explore the other schools and departments that make up our Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature
Explore the School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature, and find out more about the teaching and research activities happening now within the school.
School of Education and Sociology
Find out more about the School of Education and Sociology, and explore the teaching and research activities that take place within the school.
School of Languages and Applied Linguistics
Explore the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics, and learn more about the teaching and research activities that take place within the school.
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.
Contact us
To get in touch, please contact our Faculty office.
Phone: +44 (0)23 9284 2992
Email: hss-enquiries@port.ac.uk