Sarah Waite, who joined the University in January 2022, was invited to present her latest research.  The conference, entitled Reimagining Criminological Futures: New Criminologies in a Changing World provided a platform for Sarah to share, discuss and debate her ideas with a stellar field of criminology academics and other experts. 

Sarah is a Criminologist teaching on the Unlocked Graduates programme, a two-year leadership scheme for trainee Prison Officers.  Unlocked offers students training and full-time work in prisons across the country while studying part-time for a Masters degree in Applied Custodial Leadership with Leeds Trinity University.  

Sarah’s latest research paper “It’s just a whole new world”: Women’s Experiences of Changing from a Closed to an Open Prison explores the experiences of women in closed and open prisons and the challenges they face when moving from one setting to the other.  

The findings identify the value of careful preparation and management of moves to open prisons, without which women are less likely to transition successfully and retain the relative freedoms and autonomy associated with them. 

Sarah, who was speaking at the conference for the first time found the experience invaluable, particularly at this point in her career.  She said: “As an early career researcher, the event provided a fantastic platform for me to share and receive feedback about my work.  I was also able to develop my network, keep up to date with subject developments and learn from others.  Most importantly, this will in turn allow our students to benefit from more research-informed teaching.”

Professor Philip Hodgson, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, said: “This was an excellent opportunity for Sarah to showcase her research to a national audience.  The experience also enabled her to immerse herself in her subject which will provide benefits for our students. Sarah’s involvement in the conference is excellent profile for the Unlocked Graduates and the School of Criminology and Investigative Policing at Leeds Trinity at an important time in its development.”

Leeds Trinity University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate criminology courses. Read more on the website.