Institute for Social Justice and Crime — Projects and Publications
We are developing an evidence base on "What Works" and working with commissioners and professionals to value the important work that they do to further our understanding of pertinent issues facing society. As a research institute, sharing our research, practice and learning is at the heart of what we do.
For further information on our projects and to download research reports, click the links below.
ESRC Secondary Analysis - Pillar 4, Operation Soteria
Funder: ESRC
Team lead: Dr Linda Cooper 
Dates: May 2026 - January 2027
Dr Cooper is the Co-Principal Investigator in this further analysis of the data collected for officer learning, development and wellbeing for officers who investigate rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO). The additional work has a specific focus on officer wellbeing. Findings from the original project formed part of the National Operating Model, in effect across all police forces in England and Wales.
Practitioners Perspectives on Transitional Justice for Children Displaced within/from Ukraine
Funder: Kids in Need of Defence USA
Team lead: Dr Laura Stevens
Dates: February 2026 – November 2026
This research is a qualitative research project in collaboration with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to explore what are practitioners’ perspectives on the justice needs of children impacted by the war in Ukraine? KIND is an international organisation devoted to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children globally. The needs of children displaced from Ukraine are becoming increasingly complex. Organized criminal groups and human traffickers thrive in times of war, and displacement makes individuals, particularly children, highly vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking. Also, many children on the move have witnessed or been the victims of human rights violations because of the war. This project will conduct multiple online workshops with practitioners working with children displaced within/from Ukraine. We will conduct a maximum of 3 online workshops, with each workshop containing 5-6 practitioners. This research will explore the following objectives:
- To understand current gaps in access to justice for displaced Ukrainian children.
- To consider opportunities for child participation in justice mechanisms.
- To consider barriers, ethical safeguards, and operational considerations to allow children to participate in justice mechanisms safely.
| Staff | Research Team Members | Title | Dates | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Project Bright Light |
January 2025 - April 2025 |
A police and academic collaboration in Avon & Somerset Constabulary to improve domestic abuse investigations (DA). The pilot focused on understanding the learning, development and wellbeing for officers working on domestic abuse crimes. A national briefing document of the findings was prepared for, and shared by, the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC). |
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| Dr Katherine Allen, Dr Megan Hermolle, Dr Abigail Webb, Dr Ella Malloy, Lucy Heath-Collins |
Mapping Sexual Violence Service Provision in Suffolk |
December 2024 - March 2025 |
This project was an independent mapping exercise across multiple sectors within Suffolk about provision and commissioning of specialist sexual violence (SV) services. The project gathered insights from victims, survivors, providers, and commissioners. |
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| Dr Katherine Allen | Evaluating Fair Play Secondary + | October 2023 – August 2024 | Funder Gender Equality Matters commissioned Â鶹´«Ã½ to conduct an independent mixed-methods evaluation of Fair Play Secondary+ (FSP+), an educational game designed to support secondary-school aged young people in learning about healthy relationships, consent and abuse. | |
| Dr Olumide Adisa | VISION |
September 2021 - November 2024 |
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| Dr Katherine Allen | Dr Megan Hermolle | Rapid Evidence Assessment of models of supported domestic abuse accommodation |
June 2024 - August 2024 |
This rapid evidence review formed part of a DLUHC-funded project being undertaken by Ipsos and a consortium of organisations to evaluate the Domestic Abuse Support in Safe Accommodation Duty. The findings from the REA were used to inform fieldwork being undertaken across participating Local Authorities in Spring 2024. |
| Professor Miranda Horvath | Hazel Sayer, Ruth Spence, Tamara Polajnar | High Perpetrator Project |
April 2024 – August 2024 |
Working in collaboration with Bournemouth University and Middlesex University, this project built on previous work with West Midlands Police to pilot the RUDI framework with Devon & Cornwall Police. The research team guided DCP through the process of writing a business case for what type of data modelling might be needed and how the results of any algorithm will be used. They also explored their current data capabilities and why previous attempts at algorithmic policing have not been sustained. |
| Professor Miranda Horvath | Kari Davies, Pippa Gregory, Margaret Hardiman | Identifying and managing risk in non-convicted sex offence perpetrators |
March 2023 - March 2024 |
This project, in collaboration with Dyford Powys Police, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Bournemouth University, centred around creating and evaluating a method for identifying non-convicted offenders. The project:
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| Professor Miranda Horvath | Zoe Callon, Asmaa Majid, Kari Davies, Aneela Khan, Adam Gregory | Targeting repeat sexual offending suspects using behavioural analysis | March 2023 - March 2024 | This project aimed to develop a series of behaviourally based interventions that are being implemented and evaluated in Devon and Cornwall Police (DCP) and produce national police guidance on how these interventions can work to better target repeat sex offending (RSO) suspects. The research team conducted a national review of how Behavioural Analysis (BA) is used in police forces and how links to expertise in other law enforcement agencies such as the National Crime Agency (NCA) can be drawn on, to provide a national picture and guidance on the use of BA in targeting RSO suspects. This project was in collaboration with Bournemouth University and DCP. |
| Professor Miranda Horvath | Kari Davies, Hazel Sayer, Ruth Spence, Tamara Polajnar | The prioritisation of potentially harmful subjects and the estimation of future risk | March 2023 - March 2024 | Working in collaboration with Middlesex University, Bournemouth University and West Midlands Police (WMP) the project evaluated the outcomes of a predictive algorithm developed by WMP that identifies stalking and harassment offenders who pose high harm to potential victims. The research team investigated how algorithms can be best implemented in practice, and developing a framework for implementing predictive and prioritisation algorithms in policing. |
| Dr Olumide Adisa | Dr Katherine Allen/Dr Mark Manning/Dr Maria Cross | Drive Systems Change Evaluation | October 2021 - November 2023 | Researchers conducted a two-year project for DRIVE, which assessed the impact of DRIVE on local and national systems change through examining changes in culture and practice in three areas across England (Avon and Somerset, Derbyshire, and the Wirral). The evaluation was multi-method, collaborative and informed by systems thinking, with researchers working closely with DRIVE and stakeholders to incorporate diverse perspectives. The evaluation examined how the DRIVE partnership has contributed to changes in local agencies’ culture, practice and multi-agency working and how these changes have impacted on services’ engagement with perpetrators and victim-survivors. More broadly, it assessed how DRIVE has changed the picture at a national level through increased awareness around the need for domestic abuse perpetrator programmes |
| Dr Katherine Allen and Dr Megan Hermolle | Minerva |
September 2022 - June 2024 |
This mixed-methods project involved supporting and evaluating the development of an AI tool for women experiencing online and technology-facilitated abuse, with the aim of preventing further harm, promoting recovery and facilitating effective reporting. This project was in partnership with the Southwest Grid for Learning and Rascal Ventures, who are developing the Minerva app. The research stage of the project encompassed a scoping review on defining, understanding and responding to online and technology-facilitated abuse, a Freedom of Information request to police forces in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland relating to training and attrition, online surveys for victim-survivors and professionals whose work brings them into contact with victim-survivors, and follow-up interviews and co-design discussions with victim-survivors. |
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| Professor Miranda Horvath | Dr Joanna Ferreira, Aneela Khan, Lindsey Redgwell, Dr Maria Cross, Dr Katherine Allen, Dr Ruth Spence | Operation Soteria Bluestone |
April 2022 - September 2024 |
Operation Soteria Bluestone was a UK Home Office-funded programme designed to improve the investigation of rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) in England and Wales. It was a unique project which was underpinned by rigorous social science. With multi-disciplined academics located in multiple universities, mixed qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to a six pillared approach to organisational change with police forces, uplifting the capability of more specialist police decision-making in RASSO cases. These research informed pillars pinpointed specific areas for improvement which formed part of the new 6 pillar framework for investigating RASSO: 1) suspect-focused investigations; 2) disrupting repeat offenders; 3) victim engagement as procedural justice; 4) promoting better learning, development, and wellbeing for police officers; 5) using data more effectively in RASSO investigations; and 6) digital forensics. The pathfinder project started in 2021, based in Avon and Somerset Constabulary. The project was completed in September 2023 by which point the team had worked with 4 additional pathfinder forces and 14 adopter forces. Designed by Professor Katrin Hohl (City University) and Professor Betsy Stanko, the pillar leads include Dr Kari Davies (Bournemouth University), Professor Miranda Horvath, Dr Kelly Johnson (University of Glasgow), Jo Lovett (London Metropolitan University), Tiggey May (Birkbeck, University of London), Dr Olivia Smith (Loughborough University) and Dr Emma Williams (Open University). The Team
Pillar 1 involved working closely with Dr Kari Davies and a team at Bournemouth University who ran pillar 2 on targeting repeat suspects, and examines how repeat sex offence suspects are identified, investigated, and disrupted by the police. Through Pillars 1 and 2, five PhD studentships were funded, with research being conducted by Arianna Barbin, Sophie Barrett, Zoe Callon, Lily Hill, and another to be awarded. The research informed policing practice as well as government policy and developed a new National Operating Model for RASSO which was launched in June 2023. The year 1 report can be accessed on:
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| Dr Megan Hermolle | Mapping the State of Trauma Informed Practice Across Suffolk Organisations | November 2022 - June 2023 | Suffolk County Council and Survivors in Transition commissioned UoS to gauge the extent and quality of trauma-informed practice training and provision across Suffolk and North East Essex (SNEE), and to make recommendations for more consistent provision of trauma-informed practice provision and training across the system in SNEE and beyond. | |
| Dr Katherine Allen | Dr Olumide Adisa, Dr Megan Hermolle | Crimestoppers sexual harassment research | Crimestoppers commissioned UoS to investigate public understanding of, and attitudes towards, sexual harassment, to inform a national campaign on challenging harmful public behaviours. Researchers designed a survey for national dissemination to assess community awareness and knowledge of sexual harassment in public spaces, and to explore how social norms and attitudes contribute to perpetration and/or toleration of harmful behaviours. | |
| Dr Katherine Allen | Norfolk Rapid Evidence Review | The Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk commissioned UoS to conduct a Safe Streets-funded Rapid Evidence Assessment on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in public spaces, with the objectives of identifying the attitudes and beliefs that are associated with VAWG, the barriers to reporting, and understanding how VAWG impacts women and girls’ sense of safety in public spaces. The REA was designed to inform a local campaign challenging VAWG. | ||
| Dr Katherine Allen | Dr Megan Hermolle | West Suffolk Sexual Harassment @ Suffolk College | West Suffolk College commissioned UoS to independently evaluate their sexual harassment pilot programme, which employed forum theatre techniques to educate participants on sexual harassment and empower them to report or challenge harmful behaviours. | |
| Dr Olumide Adisa | Dr Megan Hermolle, Dr Joanna Ferreira | Venta | This research project was an extension of Dr Olumide Adisa’s 2019 evaluation of the Venta programme, which supports men who have used harmful behaviours in their intimate relationships to make positive behavioural changes. Researchers interviewed men who have completed the programme to develop their understanding of how Venta enables men to change their behaviour, the benefits of engaging with the programme and any areas for improvement. |
Selected recent publications for each of our specialisms, please also see our Open Access Repository via the following search link:
1. Gender Based Violence (violence against women and girls, sexual violence, domestic abuse, ‘honour’ based abuse, child sexual abuse, tech-facilitated abuse, stalking and sexual harassment) 
Allen, K. M., & Hermolle, M. (2026). ‘This is going to be with me for the rest of my life’: perceived barriers to reporting technology-facilitated abuse. Gender and Justice, 2(2), 143-168.
Allen, K., Stevens, L., & Finch, J. (2026). ‘I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE’: Listening to those affected by sexual violence to transform the Suffolk. Project Report. Â鶹´«Ã½, Suffolk.
Cooper, L., Allen, K., Hermolle, M., Webb, A., Malloy, E., Heath-Collins, L., Gladwell, V. & Horvath, M. (2025). Mapping sexual violence service provision in Suffolk. Project Report. Â鶹´«Ã½, Ipswich, UK.
Willis, R. (2025). Hashtag activism and Women’s rights: are social media campaigns really making laws better for Women and Girls? Bristol University Press, Bristol, England. ISBN 9781529241280
2. Childhoods and education 
Ayling, P. (2024). Selling world-class education: British private schools, whiteness and the soft-sell technique. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 45 (3). pp. 363-381. ISSN 1469-3739
Gu, X. (2025). Of flexibility, futurality and fracture: a temporal perspective into migrant parenting in China. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. ISSN 1369-183X
Frimpong-Manso, K. & Norman, Y. (2026). Young people’s perceptions of preparedness for leaving care: a mixed methods study. Child & Family Social Work. ISSN 1356-7500
Sinha, P. (2025) “(De-)bordering children’s agency,” Global Studies of Childhood, 15(2), pp. 191–208. Available at:
Sinha, P., Richards, S. & Stella, M. (eds.) (2026) Revisiting contemporary childhoods: International research on children’s voice and agency. Bristol, UK: Policy Press. 
Tedam, P. & Finch, J. (2025). ‘I do not know if I will have the energy to come to placement tomorrow’: Fast-Tracking Racially Minoritised Students to Failure in Social Work Education, The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 55, Issue 1, Pages 261–279,
3. Criminal exploitation and community safety  
Andell, P. (2025). UK race riots and demonstrations: far right ideology, online and offline activism. Critical Criminology. ISSN 1205-8629
Antfolk, J., Stevens, L., Lundsten, E., Skrifvars, J, & Selim, H. (2026) Attitudes towards Immigration Explain Beliefs about Asylum Authorities and their Decisions. Nordic Psychology, 1–17.
Kelly, B., Van Breda, A. & Frimpong-Manso, K. (2025). “You are nothing and you have nothing”: Exploring social justice for youth leaving care in African contexts. Children and Youth Review Services, 172. ISSN 0190-7409
Rzepnikowska Phillips, A. (2024). Citizenship and belonging in the times of Brexit: the case of Polish migrants in Manchester. In: D. Sredanovic & B. Byrne (Eds) Brexit and Citizens’ Rights: History, Policy and Experience. Manchester University Press, Manchester, England. ISBN 9781526169624
4. Policing, criminal and youth justice 
Cooper, L., Burnes, B. & Rawdin, C. (2025). Preparing to prepare: the process of transformational change in investigating rape and serious sexual offences in England and Wales. Journal of Change Management. ISSN 1469-7017
Maguire, L., Sondhi, A., Harding, R. & Williams, E. (2025). Reflections on organisational justice among police officers investigating rape and serious sexual offences in England and Wales. Criminology and Criminal Justice. ISSN 1748-8966
Horvath, M.A.H. & Davis, K. (2025). Improving rape and serious sex offences investigations, Journal of Criminal Psychology, 15(5): 541–552.
Walley, P., Davies, K., Friskney, R., Khan, A. & Horvath, M. (2025). Understanding police capacity issues in sex offence investigations, and considering a team approach as a solution to (some of) these challenges. Journal of Criminal Psychology. ISSN 2009-3829.
The Institute for Social Justice and Crime came into being in 2021 with the appointment of Director, Professor Miranda Horvath. Prior to this, the University's research work in this area was conducted under the Centre for Abuse Research (CARe) and the Suffolk Institute for Social and Economic Research (SISER).