- Scoping an industry-relevant problem (e.g., policing practice, youth justice, prisons, probation, community safety, crime prevention, victim services).
- Framing effective problem statements and defining success criteria.
- Stakeholder mapping (service users, practitioners, policy-makers, third-sector partners).
- Problem analysis and evaluative approaches
- Selecting and justifying criminological theories and models to explain the problem
- Working with secondary sources: official statistics, administrative data, policy documents, inspectorate reports, academic literature, NGO briefings, media/discourse analysis.
- Data quality and bias, reliability/validity, triangulation strategies.
- Writing executive summaries and professional briefings.
- Visual communication: charts, dashboards, and succinct slide design.
- Presentation skills: structure, narrative, framing for non-academic audiences.
- Industry-appropriate language and tone; accessible communication.
- Preparing for panel Q&A: anticipating challenges, defending recommendations with evidence, handling counterarguments.

Students will identify a practical, industry focused problem related to Criminology fields, e.g. prisons, probation services, victim support services. They will then explain the problem using theoretical knowledge from the course and examine potential strategies to address the problem by researching and gathering relevant evidence. Students will disseminate the findings from their project verbally to an informed professional panel using industry appropriate language and answer questions, defending their recommendations for solutions using evidence.

The timetabled sessions will include a mixture of lectures, tutorials and workshops; these will include generic topics and guidance which you will be able to apply to their own chosen subject/problem. Some will be optional sessions including writing retreats and assignment support sessions. You will be expected to independently study and work on their project outside of timetabled sessions. You will have the opportunity to present your presentation to your tutor and/or peers for formative feedback ahead of the summative assessment.

1. Design and manage an evidence-informed project plan, demonstrating the ability to gather, analyse and interpret relevant data to address a real-world criminological problem.

Research skills

2. Critically evaluate different approaches to solve a real-life problem based on theoretical knowledge and formulate recommendations for implementation.

Application and problem solving

3. Defend and justify decisions around recommendations for criminal justice-related practice, and support this with evidence.

Application and problem solving

4. Disseminate project findings using industry-appropriate language and professional presentation techniques to engage and inform stakeholders.

Communication

Bowden, M. (2023) How to present : the ultimate guide to presenting your ideas and influencing people using techniques that actually work. Second edition. Victoria, Australia: John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Figliuolo, M. (2016) The elegant pitch : create a compelling recommendation, build broad support, and get it approved. 1st edition. Pompton Plains, New Jersey: Career Press.

Fisher, J. (2025) Spreading the word: disseminating research findings.

Mertler, C.A. (2024) Disseminating Your Action Research: A Practical Guide to Sharing the Results of Practitioner Research. 1st edn. Oxford: Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003322498.

Treffinger, D.J., Isaksen, S.G. and Stead-Dorval, K.B. (2021) Creative problem solving : an introduction. 4th edition. New York: Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003419327.

Ready to put your criminology knowledge into action? This module gives you the chance to tackle a real-world problem from the criminal justice sector and develop practical, evidence-based solutions. You’ll identify an industry-relevant issue, apply criminological theory to explain it and design strategies that make a difference. Working independently with guidance from your tutor, you’ll research, analyse, and present your findings in a professional format. The module culminates in a verbal presentation to a panel, where you’ll showcase your recommendations and defend them using evidence—just like in a real industry setting.