Karen is a graduate from the LLM Criminal Justice & Penal Change programme at the University of Strathclyde...

Tell us a little bit about your background...

I was drawn to learn at the University of Strathclyde as I was born and raised in Glasgow and wanted to continue to learn in the city I adore so much. Strathclyde was always my top-rated university due to the inclusivity that the university bolsters and I couldn’t have imagined studying at any other institution as I made lifelong friends during my time at Strathclyde.

What drew you towards your chosen degree?

I attended a conference hosted at the university, and there was a flyer promoting the Criminal Justice & Penal Change course which I found interesting. I worked with perpetrators and rehabilitation and reform, so it seemed like the perfect course to match theory with practice.

What specialist knowledge/professional skills did you develop whilst studying the course?

It has been almost six years since I took part in the course, and the skills I learned still show in my practice. I learned the importance of rehabilitation and the core factors that lead someone to offending.

Where are you working now and what are your hopes for the future?

I am finishing an interdisciplinary, qualitative PhD focused on cinematic and televised portrayals of stalking and the impact of these portrayals on victims and wider society. It is a highly under researched topic and I am proud to be one of the first researchers in Scotland to combine these disciplines, which has been merited through the awards I have gained. I now work with Glasgow City Council as a Violence Against Women Outreach Worker and support the strategic drive to eradicate VAWG in Glasgow. I hope to continue my research journey by bringing research findings into practice.

Tell us a little bit about your dissertation...

My dissertation topic focused on whether alternatives to custody are fit for purpose. When I started my journey at Strathclyde, I had just completed a graduate position with Glasgow City Council in their Community Justice team which focused on perpetrator needs and now, six years later, I have re-joined the council but working with their VAW team and focusing on victims and survivors needs. This is a change, but not completely different as the knowledge I gained from this course has allowed me to better understand the psychology of why individuals commit crimes, the role of the justice system, practices that must change and all to better protect victims and reduce harm.

What was the best part of studying the Criminal Justice & Penal Change programme?

I really enjoyed the different examinations we had from presentations to group work to writing. My favourite part of the programme was working with students from across the globe and learning about their experiences and the justice systems in their countries. I also enjoyed the range of specialist speakers who then became mentors.

What advice would you give to prospective students interested in applying for this programme?

Go for it! The justice system and the culture surrounding it is always changing, so it is important that we have specialists who understand these changes to guide others and better practice.