Methods of enhancing criminology student engagement in the curricula

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

There are several challenges facing the higher education sector. One significant issue is the declining numbers of registered students attending classes, particularly notable since the Covid-19 pandemic, and students themselves have reported lower engagement in their courses. This presents academic staff with a variety of challenges including how to encourage students to physically attend classes as well as participate in them when they are there to improve student experience. To answer these questions, this roundtable discussion will provide opportunities for academics to share their perspectives and experience from their teaching practices, to enhance their pedagogical approaches to teaching criminology. The discussants will share their own experiences of the innovative scholarly methods they have used, including how best to monitor and support attendance, developing engagement plans in collaboration with students, enhancing teaching resources through podcasts, and providing opportunities to experience the curricula in real world settings through prison excursions. This roundtable aims to brings academics together to discuss these best practices and facilitate knowledge exchange to inform future teaching methods, with the goal to develop new pedagogical approaches that promote critical thinking and better engagement in the study of criminology.

Subtopic

• Topic 8: Methodologies in Criminology / Advances in Teaching Methods

Chair

• Rosie Meek, Royal Holloway University of London

Discussants

• Anastasia Jablonska, Royal Holloway, University of London

• Melissa Henderson, Lecturer of Criminology and Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London

• Erin Condirston, Royal Holloway, University of London