This thesis examines the effect of suspect veracity (whether a suspect provides a truthful or deceptive account) and culpability (whether the suspect was subsequently found guilty of the offence) on police interviewing practices in homicide cases. These variables are treated as analytically distinct, addressing a common limitation in existing research, which has often conflated deception with guilt. The study focuses on how suspect veracity and culpability affects interviewer conduct and suspect responses in real investigative contexts. Homicide interviews were analysed due to their evidential complexity, consequential and legal seriousness, and the demands they place on interviewers. In contrast to research based on experimental or simulated data, this thesis draws on field data to provide insight into police interviewing as it is practised. The research is based on 60 audio-recorded homicide suspect interviews, totalling 113 hours of material. Four empirical studies systematically examined the effect of veracity and culpability using content analysis and structured coding frameworks. The first two studies investigated question and statement types, and suspect responses. The third and fourth examined the type and timing of evidence disclosure and the corresponding suspect behaviour. A fifth study, using questionnaire data from police officers, explored professional perceptions of the interview practices observed in the field data. Data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative methods, including descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic analysis. Findings indicate that veracity and culpability affected interviewer behaviour across all stages of the interview. Suspects who deceptively denied their culpability were more frequently challenged, through both questioning and increased evidence disclosure. In contrast, truthful suspects who admitted culpability were met with clarification-based questions, reflecting a more collaborative, narrative-focused approach. Furthermore, suspects who truthfully denied culpability may present interpretive challenges, as their honesty could be less apparent perhaps due to limited knowledge, cautious responses, and misplaced confidence in being believed. While recommended practices were generally followed, the limited use of open questions and variability in evidence disclosure suggest areas for further development. The thesis contributes to the field by providing empirically grounded insights into how suspect veracity and culpability affect interviewer and suspect decision-making in serious crime contexts.

This paper presents the educational focused outcomes of a set of workshops entitled 'Introduction to Archaeology’ that were delivered within a prison. The workshops were delivered as part of a project that seeks to explore the pro-social benefits and social capital (i.e. social and structural aspects that support positive identity formation) that could be developed through engagement with archaeology, specifically for those within the criminal justice system. The workshops offered a bespoke, alternative, educational offering within an adult male prison in Wales. It was designed and delivered by an archaeologist who has an established background in the field, especially in relation to community engagement and education. The social experiences of prison participants were recorded via multi—modal methods and analysed by a criminology researcher. The inter-disciplinary project did not specifically seek to consider how archaeology can offer an innovative, alternative prison education. However, the potential of the inclusive learning that it offered through exploration of artefacts, activity and discussion in small group environments, has been revealed. The paper outlines the potential of such an approach and sets out the benefits within wider literature on prison education, public archaeology and archaeology education.

Humans impact wildlife positively and negatively, and increasing evidence shows that humans potentially play a major role in shaping urban wildlife cognition. However, it remains unclear which, and how specific anthropogenic factors shape animal cognitive performance. Here, across 15 urban areas in Oulu, Finland, we investigated how varied levels of human presence nearby, types of human activity (walking, dog walking, cycling, and playground activities), and distance to the nearest footpaths influenced 64 squirrels’ innovative problem-solving ability – measured as the proportion of solving success at the site level, solving outcome at the individual level as well as individuals’ first-success latency. Higher mean human presence nearby and all measured human activities significantly decreased the proportion of success at the site level. Playground activity showed the highest negative impact on both the first and subsequent visit success rate at the site level. Increased mean human presence and walking decreased the likelihood of a squirrel successfully solving the novel food-extraction problem. Increased mean human presence also decreased individuals’ first-success latency, and dog walking was the outstanding factor affecting first-success latency. These results show the negative effects of specific human-related factors on an important cognitive trait, problem-solving ability. These factors may also potentially exert selective pressure on shaping urban wildlife cognition.

This article explores whether suicide has the potential to be considered an expression of the actualising tendency.

This research project applies an evidence-based approach to understanding obstacles to effective use of Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) across the higher education (HE) sector. It explores the benefits of co-production with staff and students to inform the development of an impact assessment framework underpinned by the staff/student voice. The project's principal aim was to review existing higher education institution practice and collate stakeholder perceived obstacles in relation to EqIAs to support the development of an evidence-based, holistic, context-driven framework for EqIAs. This aim is underpinned by principles of co-production across the HE sector. The current UK legislative framework is considered a floor not a ceiling, therefore there is the potential for the framework to be used around the world. This project, by the University of Chester alongside the University of Hertfordshire, was funded by the 2024-25 round of the Advance HE Collaborative Development Fund.

This Equality Analysis Framework is underpinned by a 6 month collaborative research project and forms part of an expanding dialogue across the HE sector in relation to EqIAs. The project has sought to understand and respond to criticisms and obstacles to the effective use of equality impact assessments (EqIAs) across the sector. It has also explored the link between the emerging focus on co-production and EqIA practice. This Equality Analysis Framework is a work in progress and the sector is encouraged to view this as a dynamic collaborative tool to support proportionate, context driven approaches as a means of ensuring more effective and inclusive decision-making processes. This Framework is intended for use by those with EDI expertise and suggests an approach to support decision makers to engage with EqIAs. A separate accessible EqIA Toolkit for decision makers on EqIAs is also available.

Introduction: In the United Kingdom, 20 million people are affected by musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. To reduce the burden on GP surgeries, there are now MSK triage services where patients are diagnosed and managed by allied health professionals. There is limited research exploring the sociodemographic characteristics and reasons for attendance of those using the MSK triage service. Aim: To explore the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of adult patients accessing an MSK triage service within Northwest England. Method: This is a retrospective cohort study using secondary data collected between 1st January 2022 and 31st December 2024. Data were extracted from an NHS electronic patient record system, including sociographic data as well as the number of consultations and diagnosis. Results: The sample included data on 6398 patients, of which 2826 (44%) were male and 3571 female (66%). The mean age was 56.9 years, the majority (83.1%) identified as White British and 28.4% of the sample resided in areas of low deprivation. Compared with lower body diagnoses, individuals with spine‐related diagnoses had 28.7% fewer consultations and those with upper‐body diagnoses had 19.2% fewer consultations. Both differences were highly significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggest that establishing more clearly defined clinical pathways may enhance the efficiency of service utilisation. Improving the accessibility of the MSK triage service has the potential to enhance access for both patients and referring clinicians, thereby optimising the timeliness of care delivery. This study adds to the evolving understanding of how MSK triage services can be enhanced in the NHS primary care setting.

The early detection of sexually abusive relationships between adults and children is important. However, media propagation of child sex offender stereotypes may inhibit offender detection. This study used a vignette‐based online questionnaire to explore to what extent the signs of abuse can be detected in a relationship between a child and his football coach and whether the ‘dirty old man’ age stereotype impacts detection. Whether adults already trained in detecting child sexual abuse (CSA) rated the potential for CSA differently than untrained adults in scenarios where it was included was also explored. The analysis indicated a significantly higher rating for CSA in ‘abuse’ scenarios than ‘no‐abuse’ scenarios across all participants, with a large effect size. However, there was no significant difference in rating for CSA based on abuser age. Additionally, CSA‐trained participants did not rate abuse scenarios significantly differently than untrained participants. Extensive reporting of high‐profile cases that did not include a stereotypical offender was considered a potential mitigating factor for the age stereotype. The focus of existing CSA training on signs in victims, rather than signs of abusive relationships, is considered a potential explanation for the comparable ratings for CSA between trained and untrained participants.

Through engagement in in critical and social constructionist research this thesis demonstrates prevailing discourses about youth work, its identity as a profession, and the way Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have come to be understood within, and to inform, contemporary youth work practice. Initially the historical, theoretical, and practical underpinnings of youth work in England and Wales is considered and its evolution is situated within broader socio-political and economic contexts. Competing paradigms framing youth work are noted. The tensions between those paradigms, one focussed on empowerment and social justice, the other on personal development within existing structures, are explored. Historical shifts in youth work are analysed, from its philanthropic beginnings and the "golden age" following the Albemarle Report to its neo-liberal reframing under austerity policies. Particular attention is given to how ACEs have recently emerged as a construct shaping youth work discourse, often pathologising young people while obscuring structural inequalities. The methodology for the thesis is then explained. It is noted that the thesis draws on insights from critical and constructivist research and that a critical discourse analysis approach, examining youth workers’ account of contemporary practice, is undertaken. The choice of methodological framework is justified on the basis that it facilitates a critical understanding of how a concern for ACEs is applied when youth workers engage with young people. Also, on the basis that it facilitates an exploration of how power, knowledge, and identity are constructed and contested as youth workers give account of their profession and work. The findings address issues of fragmentation in youth work's professional identity, exacerbated by competing definitions and models of practice. While ACEs is presented as providing a lens for understanding individual trauma, its uncritical adoption is shown to depoliticise youth work, steering it away from structural critiques towards individualised and therapeutic interventions. Youth workers are shown to articulate a desire for greater clarity and coherence in professional standards, emphasising the importance of voluntary engagement, relational work, and empowerment. However, medicalised and neo-liberal discourses are shown to 5 constrain these ideals, leading to prioritisation of targeted interventions over universal provision. The findings, however, also address the potential for a reinvigorated form of youth working focussed on transformative conversations. Transformative conversations are relational, dialogic exchanges that can foster critical reflection, empowerment, and subject re-positioning. Spaces for such conversations, which have the potential to challenge dominant discourses, are identified to enable youth workers to question societal norms and their positioning within power structures. An interface between transformative conversations and the discourse analytic approach to the research is noted. This is because both are founded on deconstructing language and power dynamics to reveal how meanings, albeit shaped by broader societal discourses, are also co-constructed. Accordingly, it is shown how insights from discourse analysis can be used to inform transformative conversations to potentially resist oppressive narratives, aligning with a youth work agenda focused on social justice and empowerment. The discussion situates the findings within the broader context of social justice, arguing for a reinvigoration of youth work’s emancipatory ethos through transformative conversations and dialogue. The need for a renewed commitment to addressing systemic inequalities through collective, rights-based approaches is emphasised. The thesis concludes with a call for a reimagining of youth work as a radical, transformative practice that resists neo-liberal commodification. The thesis contributes to the academic and practical understanding of youth work by offering a critical lens through which contemporary and future challenges may be viewed.

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