International Centre for Comparative Criminological Research (ICCCR)
Research Clusters
The International Centre for Comparative Criminological Research (ICCCR) draws its membership from a number of departments, including History, Social Policy & Criminology, and Sociology. As such, its research expertise is widely distributed. However, in addition to the individual research being pursued by members, three distinct research clusters exist under the umbrella of the ICCCR. While the Centre itself runs its own interdisciplinary programme of events, each research cluster maintains its own identity and hosts specific research seminars and conferences. Details of each research cluster can be found below.
The European Centre for the Study of Policing
The European centre for the Study of Policing is based in the Faculty of Arts (History Department) and was established in 1990. Directed by Prof Clive Emsley, the Centre aims to promote and facilitate research into the history and practice of modern policing around the world (since c. 1750), and to generate the exchange of ideas between academics and serving policemen. This is achieved via seminars, conferences, publications and the provision of specialist archive facilities. It also has close connections with the Institut National des Hautes Etudes de Sécurité (INHES) and the Arbeitsgruppe zur Polizeigeschichte. The Centre has research specialisms in the history of crime and policing in Europe and the history of colonial policing. Recent visiting research staff have come from as far afield as America, New Zealand, Australia and Brazil, and the permanent staff at the Centre are always keen to hear of relevant research being conducted world-wide. Recent archival acquisitions include the entire ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) Archive.
The Forensic Psychology Research Group
The Forensic Psychology Research Group is based in the psychology discipline in the Faculty of Social Sciences. The group has close links with a range of policing organisations and most research work is aimed at policing policy, investigative procedures and practice. This has included revisions to the PACE Codes and drafting the Memorandum of Good Practice and ACPO guidelines to accompany new legislation. The group has attracted substantial external funding from the Home Office, EPSRC and the BPS. It is regularly involved in the training of police officers and social workers.
The Rethinking Criminology Group
The Rethinking Criminology Group is based in the social policy & criminology discipline within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Six criminologists within this group are currently researching and publishing in the fields of youth crime and justice, prisons and punishment, crime prevention, corporate and environmental regulation, and contemporary policing. The reputation of this group is evidenced by their work on the Editorial Boards of the following peer-reviewed journals: British Journal of Criminology (Walters, Muncie); Howard Journal of Criminal Justice (Muncie); Police Practice and Research (Westmarland); International Journal of Justice and Social Exclusion (Walters).
For further details contact Prof John Muncie via the e-mail address icccr@open.ac.uk