Research field

Criminology and Criminal Policy

Tampere University

Criminology is the study of crime and responses to it. Crime trends and the environment in which they occur are changing rapidly, and the ability of developed countries to identify and respond to them requires a high level of expertise, especially based on empirical research. In addition, many international treaties ratified by Finland require research knowledge specifically related to violence to enable its prevention.

Crime prevention and intervention can be achieved through criminal policy. These criminal policy measures also need to be examined through empirical research to ensure that societal actions are informed and cost-effective. Criminal policy is therefore both politics and science, like, for example, social policy. Criminal policy is closely intertwined with the study of criminology.

Crime and crime prevention are first and foremost social phenomena, which require social and behavioural science as well as humanistic, theoretical and philosophical research. At the University of Tampere, the teaching of criminology and criminal policy emphasises the interdisciplinary nature of the disciplines, their links with other social sciences and the interfaces between science and practice. A particular area of strength is the study of violence in society.

Criminology and Criminal Policy is part of the Unit of Social Research. Together with six other disciplines, it offers a Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Science, graduating between 80 and 100 students each year. At Master's level, Criminology and Criminal policy can be chosen as a separate field of study. In addition, those with a relevant undergraduate degree can apply directly to the Master's programme. Applications are invited once a year through a joint call for applications. Applications for doctoral studies are accepted twice a year, in spring and autumn.

Research

The study of criminology and criminal policy involves the combination of baseline research in criminology with the evaluation of crime prevention and control measures. The research employs a variety of empirical research methods and data and adheres to the principles of open science.

The study of violence is a focus area for criminology and criminal policy in Tampere University. Violence is a complex and challenging phenomenon. Understanding and mitigating its effects and addressing its problems requires high quality research and education. The need for research, understanding and expertise on the different forms of violence and their consequences has been identified in a wide range of fields in recent years. This is particularly acute in the social and health sectors, in the criminal justice process and among educational experts and professionals. Violence in the workplace and the role and relationship of, for example, culture, the arts and journalism to violence have also recently emerged strongly in everyday practice and in public debates in national and international academic fora. Researchers, experts and practitioners with knowledge of violence and its present and past manifestations and effects, who have both the theoretical competence and the ability to apply their knowledge, are needed in various fields.

Research on violence at the Unit of Social Research in Tampere University has mainly focused on violence that is not perpetrated by an entity that has the legal right to use violence (state monopoly on violence). The focus has been on forms of violence that occur in everyday life and in institutions, media and culture. As a societal problem and challenge, dealing with violence requires a multidisciplinary approach to criminology and criminal policy, including social, behavioural and health sciences, as well as humanistic, technical, theoretical and philosophical research and education. The strength of the research on violence in Tampere University is the theoretical excellence of the research and the close link between research and practice, which allows for nationally and internationally high-quality research and teaching on violence and victimisation.

Research projects:

ACElife

DIGNITEAS Challenges of tackling digital violence against women in police work, criminal procedure, and support services

DigiSOS Digitaalisen väkivallan kohtaaminen sosiaali- ja terveyspalveluissa

ERASE GBV Education and Raising Awareness in Schools to Prevent and Encounter Gender-Based Violence

ISEDA Innovative Solutions to Eliminate Domestic Abuse

Studies

Studies in criminology and criminal policy are part of the Degree Programme in Social Sciences. The programme comprises a Bachelor’s programme and a Master’s programme. It is possible to complete the Bachelor’s degree in three years while the Master’s programme takes two years.

A Master of Social Sciences in Criminology and Criminal Policy will have a broad and deep understanding of criminology and criminal policy as a science and practice. They understand the basic concepts and theoretical traditions of criminological research and understand criminological issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. In particular, a Master of Social Sciences in Criminology and Criminal Policy will have a theoretical and empirical understanding of the field of violence studies. They will be able to identify the mechanisms of violence and have the skills to confront, identify and articulate the different manifestations of violence in both research and practice. They are familiar with Finnish criminal policy and how it functions in society, and understand the relationship between criminal policy and other policy areas in society, such as social policy. A Master's degree in Criminology and Criminal Policy enables students to conduct high-quality and ethically sound scientific research and to master the basic principles of applying research knowledge to practical work.

Students who have studied criminology and criminal policy have the same general employment prospects as any social scientist. However, there are also many specialist and managerial positions that require scientific expertise in crime prevention and everyday security. The studies prepare students specifically for such duties. The qualifications will enable students to work as experts in the public and private sectors, in third-sector organisations and in national and international positions.

Contacts with employers are established especially during the internship period (3 months), which is included in the degree.

At Tampere University, teaching in criminology and criminal policy has a strong research base, and all teachers are also active researchers. A Master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Policy also provides an avenue to research training in the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences.

Research Director Noora Ellonen is the Head of the field of study in Criminology and Criminal Policy.