Domestic Abuse and the Limits of Criminalisation: Exploring the Efficacy of the Criminal Legal System - Fully-Funded PhD Studentship

The aim of this study is to make an original contribution to the campaign to end violence against women and girls. It will explore the efficacy of the criminal legal system’s response to intimate partner violence by asking a range of questions including: Are the existing criminal offences, designed to protect survivors of domestic abuse and bring abusers to justice, adequate? Are criminal legal interventions making a significant difference to rates of domestic abuse in the local area? What are the barriers to engagement with the criminal legal system, and how can the criminal law be more effectively engaged to protect survivors of abuse? Is the preoccupation with punitive responses to domestic abuse warranted or are there more effective alternatives to criminalisation to further the goal of reducing violence against women and girls?

Teesside University is part of the Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA) in Social Policy, a University Alliance initiative, established in 2017, including seven partner universities which aims to deliver a new approach to postgraduate research opportunities. It builds on the research strengths and industry-focused ethos of Alliance universities, offering fully funded postgraduate programmes which deliver excellent research with real world impact, an expert network of support and potential employment opportunities for researchers. The projects currently available are in partnerships with a range of regional and national organisations.

The student will be based at Teesside University and become a member of the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law. The School is internationally renowned for its research in Criminology and Social Policy, has a reputation for doing research that has social impact and is a research rich environment with a vibrant postgraduate community.

The student will receive comprehensive training and will acquire practical innovation and entrepreneurial expertise. This will include attendance at the DTA Training Schools and access to a bespoke ‘elective programme’ hosted across the network of universities.

Applicants must have a good honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in a social science discipline or related area. An MSc level qualification is desirable but not essential.
International students would be subject to the standard entry criteria including (when relevant) to English language ability, ATAS clearance and Tier 4 procedures. Please contact [Email Address Removed] if you require further information.