Lecturer in Criminology

Job Summary

RGU is an innovative, inclusive, and ambitious University, focused on the impact of its demand-led teaching and research. We are proud of our excellence in education and research, and we are offering an opportunity to join our great team as a Lecturer with expertise, and a proven track record in course delivery and management, within the field of criminology.

This role provides a unique and challenging opportunity for an experienced lecturer to develop, foster and manage a new and innovative undergraduate degree programme in criminology (and allied areas). The interdisciplinary nature of the programme involves utilizing the resources and expertise from three different Schools within the university: Law, Applied Social Sciences and Pharmacy and Life Sciences. The degree will emphasize the interrelationship and application of various disciplines in examining the causes, motivations, and consequences of criminal behaviour alongside a range of preventative measures (including rehabilitation).

Applications are welcome from candidates with research interests in any core area of criminology including social justice, environmental crime, (dis)organized crime, state crime, criminal justice, reparative justice, forensic psychology, victimology, and penology.

Salary includes a Responsibility Allowance Payment of £2000 per annum in recognition of the Course Leader Responsibilities. You will also be eligible to receive two further lump sum payments of £1000 in year 2 and year 3, subject to meeting your Course Leader objectives.

For an informal confidential discussion on this role, please contact either David Christie (Associate Dean, Law School - david.christie@rgu.ac.uk ) or Professor Chris Yuill (Professor in Sociology, School Applied Social Sciences - c.yuill@rgu.ac.uk )

RGU's ultra-modern campus, located on the outskirts of the vibrant and prosperous city of Aberdeen, offers a superb place to live, work and develop your career. A relocation package is available to assist with your transition to RGU, where you’ll enjoy working in one of the most impressive university settings in the UK, with first-class educational infrastructure and outstanding sporting and leisure facilities, all set against a stunning rural backdrop on the banks of the river Dee. More information can be found on our relocation pages

You will benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits.

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check. For more information visit: https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Dean/Associate Dean of School 

PRINCIPLE DUTIES:

To lead in the development and implementation of a new undergraduate, interdisciplinary degree programme in criminology involving the Schools of Law, Applied Social Sciences and Pharmacy and Life Sciences.

To develop a programme that ensures an outstanding student experience, that meets the University’s mission statement and strategic plans, and is compliant with best practice.

To provide academic leadership for the development and delivery of programmes in line with the requirements of the University and external agencies, such as, accrediting bodies and the QAA.

To lead criminology as a subject discipline, both within the university and to external stakeholders, as appropriate, in terms of both learning and teaching and in developing a research profile. This includes inputting knowledge and expertise to the development of short course provision relating to crime, generally.

 

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Course Management

To lead in the development of criminology as an academic discipline within the university including all associated administrative duties and management tasks, e.g. drafting programme development documentation, liaison with partner Schools and university directorates, assisting in the recruitment of staff, programme delivery, the student experience, etc.

Ensure excellent communication links with staff, students, and all other stakeholders, both internal and external

To represent criminology as a discipline both within the university and to external bodies

Ensure a continuous process of quality assessment and programme review to meet the requirements of the University and relevant professional and advisory bodies

Attend all appropriate university forums, meetings, etc. relating to both the development and operation of criminology as a degree programme and as an area of research

 

Teaching and Learning

Continually foster a positive, creative and engaging learning environment for students

Design, deliver and execute an exciting, stimulating, challenging and practice focused programme within the field of criminology

Provide support, supervise and mentor students, facilitating both their educational and professional development

Contribute to the teaching requirements of UG and PG programmes within the field of criminology within the university

Regularly review and reflect on the criminology programme(s) ensuring excellent student feedback, innovative design, applied assessments and engaging delivery

 

Research

Undertake research at a level commensurate with the role of a Lecturer, including substantial outputs of recognised quality that demonstrate disciplinary impact

Prepare and deliver presentations at national and/or international conferences and similar events, to raise the profile of both the Schools and university as a whole (subject to approval)

Produce regular outputs (publications, conference papers or similar) of a quality and frequency consistent with the status of a Lecturer within the field of criminology (or allied area)

 

Student Engagement/Experience

Ensure effective and positive communication with students, review and monitor feedback and provide constructive suggestions/remedies in areas of concern

Engage and, where appropriate, participate in both university promotional events/projects and student recruitment activities, such as marketing, open days, taster days, access events, guest talks, outreach activities, etc.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional memberships

An undergraduate degree in criminology (or allied discipline)

A Masters degree in a relevant area and/or a Doctoral degree (or equivalent) in criminology (or allied discipline)

An appropriate research profile in any area of criminology (or allied discipline)

Membership of relevant professional and/or academic bodies, e.g. British Society of Criminologists

Knowledge

Knowledge of criminological research methods and methodology

Experience

Course/Programme Leadership in undergraduate programmes (preferably in criminology or a similar field)

Experience in teaching across an array of specialties within criminology

An appropriate research profile consummate to the level of appointment.

Experience and knowledge of criminological research methods and methodology

Experience in creative, student focused and applied assessment design

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Senior fellow of HE Academy (or willingness to obtain thereof)

Knowledge

A background in developmental pedagogic teaching and learning particularly in applied studies and interdisciplinary delivery

Practitioner experience within the criminal justice system

Active engagement in continuous professional development

Planning and organizing student engagement programmes within an appropriate field such as criminal justice, rehabilitation schemes, etc.

A record of publications or other scholarly outputs of national or international standing

A record of successfully securing external research and/or enterprise/commercial funding

The management of academic staff across an array of specialisms and disciplines

Experience

Experience in implementing innovative and creative degree programmes

Experience in managing degree programmes across Schools/Departments and in utilizing pan-university functions/facilities

Experience in dealing with external stakeholders, specifically in seeking degree programme accreditation and/or recognition.

Experience in developing, validating, and initiating new undergraduate degree programmes

Behaviours

Behaviour 1 - Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner.

Behaviour 2 - Pastoral Care and Welfare - Experience of calming and reassuring those with work/study related problems who may be experiencing distress, dealing with difficult welfare situations or confidential matters and providing support for those in considerable distress or requiring long-term complex support.

Behaviour 3 - Team Development - Experience of providing advice or guidance to new starts, delivering training or instruction to others on specific tasks or activities and identifying the training and development needs of the team and carrying out performance appraisals.

Behaviour 4 - Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards.

Behaviour 5 - Teaching and Learning Support - Experience of providing standard information or delivering teaching or training, designing content or learning materials within existing frameworks and developing innovative approaches to learning experience and the curriculum.

Behaviour 6 - Analysis and Research - Experience of developing hypotheses and concepts to explain data, events and phenomena, and reporting findings to a wider community.