A three day conference on the future of criminology was hosted by the University of Wolverhampton. The British Society of Criminology Conference, held from Tuesday 2 July to Thursday 4 July, aimed to tackle whether criminology is still fit for purpose and if there is a need for a fundamental reappraisal of the discipline.
This issue was explored by a ‘Criminology on trial’ element, which saw figures from the field present the case for and against the discipline during a trial where criminology was charged with failing to deliver.
Speakers at the conference included Paul Rock, Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics (LSE), Yvonne Jewkes, Professor of Criminology at the University of Leicester, Professor Steve Tombs, Professor of Criminology at the Open University, and Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe, President of the British Society of Criminology.
Professor Peter Waddington, Professor of Social Policy and Hon. Director of the Central Institute for the Study of Public Protection (CISPP) at the University of Wolverhampton said: “The centre–piece of the conference was to put ‘criminology on trial’ for the offence of not serving the public interest. His Honour Judge Michael Challinor presided; prosecution and defence ‘counsel’ wore wigs and robes; witnesses for both sides were called, examined and cross–examined. A jury of nine brought in a verdict of ‘Not guilty’. It was great fun, but there was a passionate debate at the heart of it about the future role of criminology.
“The conference was well attended and we received some really positive feedback afterwards. Everyone connected with the event is absolutely delighted with how well it went.”
