Sarah Watson

Senior Lecturer

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I am a Senior Lecturer in Policing with an academic background. I have an interest in crime and human behaviors, and I began my undergraduate degree in Criminology in 2008 at Coventry University as a mature student. I continued with a master’s degree in Criminology, and it was during this time that I first became involved in firearms research.

In 2015 I contributed to the Examination of Firearms and Forensics in Europe and a Cross Territories (EFFECT) project funded by the European Commission DG Home Affairs ISEC. The project provided EU policy-makers with a definitive body of knowledge concerning the nature, extent and impact of gun enabled crime (gec), the effectiveness of interventions aimed at combating gec, and the cross-border sharing of ballistics intelligence.

 

In 2018 I produced online learning modules for UNODC’s E4J programme on firearms crime. I also sat on a UNODC panel of firearms experts, during which time I discussed criminal justice responses to armed violence, and the impact of firearms on society and development.

 

I am currently undertaking a PhD that explores mass shooting incidents across Europe. My research looks at mass shootings, how they are framed and conceptualized and what impact this has on legislative changes.

Professional memberships and activities
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  • Member of the BSC Teaching and Learning Network (TLN)

Academic qualifications
  • Ma in Criminology, Coventry University.
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education, Coventry University.
  • Ba (Hons) Criminology, Coventry University

Research interests
  • Armed violence
  • Gender and armed violence
  • Armed violence and human rights
  • Direct and indirect impact of armed violence
  • Role of law enforcement when responding to armed violence
  • Mass shootings
  • Police use of firearms

Grants

Undergraduate

  • Policing theory
  • Mental well being
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Vulnerability
  • Theories and concepts of becoming a victim
  • Abuser and victim relationships
  • Qualitative research methods

Publications

Watson, S. (2022) ‘Mass Shootings, Fatality Thresholds and Defining by Numbers: Political and Social Consequences’ Criminology and Criminal Justice.1-9 https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958221110812

 

Watson, S., and Bolton- King, R., (2021) ‘Responding to Firearm Crime. in Firearms: Global Perspectives on Consequences, Crime and Control’. Ed. by Poole, H., and Sneddon, S. Oxford: Routledge

 

Watson, S. (2021) ‘The Impact of Firearms on Society and Development’. in Firearms: Global Perspectives on Consequences, Crime and Control’. Ed. by Poole, H., and Sneddon, S. Oxford: Routledge

 

Squires, P., Poole, H., Chilton, J., Watson, S., and Williamson, H. (2020) ‘Illegal Firearms in Europe and the UK – Stemming the Tide? - review article’. Journal of Criminology and Forensic Studies. 3 (1)

 

Squires, P., Poole, H., Chilton, J., Watson, S., and Williamson, H. (2020) ‘Guns in the UK and Europe - A Hidden Time Bomb?’ in Esparza, Ricart and Vargas (Ed.) Gun Trafficking and Violence: from the global network to the local security challenge. Palgrave MacMillan

 

Watson, S. (2015) ‘To what extent is there scope for a common EU policy on firearms controls?’ Papers from the British Criminology Conference. 15, 77-92

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

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Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

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Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

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The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021