National crime expert joins School of Social Sciences

10/10/08

National crime expert joins School of Social Sciences

An eminent researcher, known for her work with violent offenders and victims of sex abuse, has taken up a position at Kingston University, in South West London. Professor Julia Davidson has spent the past 20 years conducting research in the criminal justice field, working with young victims of crime, as well as the police, Crown Prosecution Service and judiciary.

In her new role as Professor of Criminology and Sociology, Professor Davidson will continue to work on a wide range of research projects looking into serious, violent and sexual crime. She will also be co-director on the newly-created Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS) which has been set up to spearhead research, practice and training on issues of trauma and abuse. CATS, a partnership between Kingston University and Royal Holloway University of London, will draw on research expertise, teaching and knowledge at both universities to further the understanding, treatment and policy implications of abuse and trauma.

Highly respected in criminology circles, Professor Davidson said she was pleased to be joining researchers in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Kingston. She was also keen to develop inter-faculty links and build on her work with criminal justice professionals. "I’m looking forward to further expanding the work I have been conducting in the field of abuse during the past 20 years and increasing the work undertaken by the newly formed CATs," she said.

Professor Davidson has worked with the Metropolitan Police Authority and Crimestoppers to explore child safety on the internet and recently published a book Child Sexual Abuse, Media Representation and Government Reactions. She is an experienced media commentator providing expert advice on criminal justice issues to journalists. She was previously Principal Lecturer in Criminology and Research Methods at the University of Westminster.