In this playlist, explore how social science insights are providing vital evidence and knowledge which assist the police to understand and address crimes including homicide, human trafficking, domestic abuse, hate crime and more. Join Will Hutton to hear expert insights on the tools, skills and knowledge from social science which support the police in their investigations and help to shape our justice system.
The We Society podcast: Crime & Justice
S9 Ep6: Can language convict a criminal? with Tim Grant
How can language contribute to improving the delivery of justice? Professor Tim Grant FAcSS from Aston University is one of the UK’s leading experienced forensic linguistics practitioners whose analysis has helped resolve numerous criminal cases, both nationally and internationally. In the latest episode of the We Society podcast, he joins Will Hutton to discuss how language analysis can contribute crucial evidence to solving crimes and lead to justice for all, as well as how AI is changing the face of language production.
S8 Ep2: Morality in UK prisons with Alison Liebling
Content warning: This episode covers themes of suicide.
One in four people re-offend within a year of leaving prison. How can we improve outcomes for prisoners and reduce their chances of reoffending? Professor Alison Liebling is Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Cambridge and the Director of the Institute of Criminology’s Prisons Research Centre. In episode two of season 8 of the We Society podcast, she joins Will Hutton to discuss her 35 years of research on the moral and emotional landscapes of UK prisons, three years of which was funded by a Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship.
S7 Ep5: Tracking and stopping domestic abuse with Jane Monckton Smith
Content warning: This podcast episode covers themes of domestic abuse, violence against women and domestic homicide.
Around one in four women have experienced domestic abuse according to the crime survey of England and Wales. Professor Jane Monckton-Smith is Professor of Public Protection at the University of Gloucestershire and is internationally renowned for her research into domestic homicide, coercive control and stalking. In this episode of the We Society podcast, she joins host Will Hutton to discuss her research into the pattern of domestic abuse which is being used to inform policy and save lives.
S6 Ep7: Stopping hate crime with Matthew Williams and Neil Chakraborti
Between 2012 and 2023, hate crimes in England and Wales rose by 252%, according to research undertaken by the Home Office. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Professor Neil Chakraborti FAcSS, University of Leicester, and Professor Matthew Williams FAcSS, Cardiff University, join host Will Hutton to discuss the impact of hate crimes on the victims, their communities and wider British society. And what can be done to lower the incidences of hate crime.
S6 Ep6: Why the war on drugs has failed with Alex Stevens
In this episode of the We Society podcast, Professor Alex Stevens, Professor of Criminology at the University of Sheffield, joins our host, Will Hutton, to discuss the scale and drivers of drug use in Britain, and how research evidence can support drug policy.
S5 Ep6: Exposing the underbelly of Britain with Ella Cockbain
Dr Ella Cockbain is Associate Professor at UCL’s Department of Security and Crime Science, where she leads the research group on human trafficking and exploitation. In recognition of her impactful work she received the 2023 Philip Leverhulme Prize, along with 29 other exceptional researchers. In this episode of the We Society podcast, she joins host, Will Hutton, for a wide-ranging discussion about these complex issues.
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