Making sense of neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour in areas of ‘permanent recession’

We are pleased to invite UK, EU and international applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship: Making sense of neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour in areas of ‘permanent recession’ from Teesside University’s Centre for Social Innovation.

Project description

Across the UK, police forces have identified neighbourhood level crime and violence as problematic and something to be addressed. Some neighbourhoods, communities, towns and cities have, historically, faced long-term challenging conditions in relation to crime and violence but the long-term consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, as well as the current cost of living crisis, are yet to be fully visible or understood in relation to crime. Historically, places like Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley have faced higher than average crime rates as well as multiple indices of deprivation and a host of other social ‘problems’. Currently, the Cleveland Police force area, which covers Middlesbrough and much of the Tees Valley, has the highest crime rate per 1,000 population in the UK and the third highest rate of violent crime per 1,000 population (ONS, 2022). These figures represent recorded crime which can occasion discrepancies with lived experience in certain locale.

This project aims to shine light on the reality of crime and anti-social behaviour in what Hall, Winlow and Ancrum (2008) term ‘areas of permanent recession’. Through qualitative methods, including ethnography, this project will attempt to understand the context and consequences of neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.

The supervisor is Dr Anthony Lloyd from the School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law.

Entry requirements

You should hold or expect to obtain a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a relevant discipline. A master’s level qualification in a relevant discipline is desirable, but not essential, as well as a demonstrable understanding of the research area.

International applicants should have a standard of English at IELTS 6.5 minimum and will be subject to the standard entry criteria relating to ATAS clearance and, when relevant, UK visa requirements and procedures.

How to apply

Application is online.

Key dates

• Closing date for applications is 5.00pm, 1 February 2023.
• Shortlisting and online interviews are expected to be held mid-March 2023.
• Successful applicants will be expected to start May or October 2023.