Centre for Social and Criminological Research
The Centre for Social and Criminological Research (CSCR) conducts rigorous independent research into topics of global and international importance and which impact at national and local levels.
About us
The CSCR is made up of scholars conducting rigorous, independent research on topics of global, international, and local importance. We foster interdisciplinary links with academic colleagues and build links across professional and institutional practice. Our research is both theoretical and empirically driven.
The CSCR’s research is broadly located within three overarching thematic areas:
- Conflict, Harm and Violence
- Borders, Security and Mobility
- Social and Criminal Justice
Staff have expertise in traditional research methodologies and in new approaches driven by the availability of "big data", the prevalence of digital lives and online social worlds, and the centrality of co-production methods.
Our research
The Centre conducts rigorous, independent research based on the principles of social justice, equality, and modern citizenship.
Staff have expertise in:
- Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
- Data analysis
- Project evaluation
We foster and support interdisciplinary links with academic colleagues. We also build links across professional and institutional practice.
CSCR members have extensive international research links. They also have long-term experience of teaching on master's programmes and supervising PhD students in these fields:
- Migration
- Criminal justice
- Youth offending
- Drugs
- Environmental crime
- Political violence and conflict
We welcome PhD applications in these areas. Interested candidates should contact a member of staff for an informal discussion or complete an application form.
Projects
Dr. Myrna Papadouka (PI) has been leading a programme of research on migrant smuggling in the Mediterranean. She was P-I on a British Academy/Leverhulme Small Grant project (2024-25) titled Migrant Smuggling through Different Lenses: Exploring Perceptions of Practitioners, Law Enforcement Representatives and Migrants on the Mediterranean and English Channel Routes. (Co-led with Drs Nicola Montagna, Giuseppe Serrantino & Stefani Efraimidou). The Smuggling Industry in the Mediterranean: A Comparison of Countries and Across Periods (2022-23) (Co-led with Dr Nicola Montagna) and a project titled: Evaluating the Refugee Crisis Response in Greece and Italy: a roundtable with governmental, non-governmental organization (NGOs) and academic representatives (Co-led with Drs Giuseppe Serrantino & Herminder Kaur) were earlier inquiries.
Prof. Kevin McDonald led (with Necla Acik) the work package ‘Understanding Different Extremism and Radicalisation Pathways and Trends’ on the Horizon Europe (2020-2023) ‘Analyzing and Preventing Extremism via Participation research programme.
Related Subjects
Staff and affiliate members
- Dr. Kasia Narkowicz, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology, Co-convenor of CSCR
- Dr. Jenni Ward, Associate Professor in Criminology, Co-convenor of CSCR
- Dr. Myrna Papadouka, Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Criminology
- Prof. Kevin McDonald, Professor of Sociology
- Prof. Karen Duke, Professor in Criminology
- Dr. Naomi Graham, Senior Lecturer in Criminology
- Dr. Mia Scally, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology
- Prof. Anthony Goodman, Professor of Criminology
Staff also have long-term experience of teaching on master's programmes and supervising PhD students in these fields.
We welcome PhD applications in these areas. Interested candidates should contact a member of staff for an informal discussion or complete an application form.
Knowledge exchange and teaching
The CSCR is associated with the Middlesex MSc Criminology with Forensic Psychology, MSc Criminology & Criminal Justice, MSc Cybercrime and Digital Investigation taught masters. Masters are invited to present their research at PRG seminars.
The CSCR is has long been associated with the , a European University partnership connecting master’s students engaged in criminological research, knowledge exchange and international collaboration.
Funding
Forthcoming events
‘Key Thinkers in Criminology’ Public Lecture with Professor David Garland on his book ‘Law and Order Leviathan: America’s Extraordinary Regime of Policing and Punishment’ (2025) followed by a Q&A session. 12th October 2026 14:00-16:00. College Building C219-220 Middlesex University
CSCR is hosting the upcoming 2026 Common Study Session in Critical Criminology from Monday 14th to 16 December at Middlesex University. The conference theme is ‘Bordering and Liminality’. More information about the Common Study Programme:
Past events
Get in touch
The best way to contact the CSCR is through the co-convenors Dr. Kasia Narkowicz - k.narkowicz@mdx.ac.uk & Dr. Jenni Ward - j.r.ward@mdx.ac.uk