Student Volunteering Opportunities

The Centre for Criminology is pleased to support a number of volunteering opportunities for our MSc and DPhil students through which they can gain experience of policy and practice while also engaging with local and national organisations and institutions. Offered in partnership with outside groups, these opportunities allow students to develop a range of transferable skills. Depending on our budget, we try to offer students a small honorarium. Please contact us if you have an idea that could be included in this list.

Please apply for ONLY ONE internship as there is insufficient time on the MSc for participating fully in more than one.

Border Criminologies Communications research internships

Based at the Centre for Criminology, Border Criminologies is an international research network focusing on the growing intersection between criminal justice and immigration control. In 2023-2024 we are looking for one student volunteer, to assist with developing and managing our communications. This would involve working with Dr Andriani Fili and Prof Mary Bosworth, and liaising with the wider Border Criminologies team to plan and develop content. Work could include helping to manage the social media channels and ensuring BC visibility (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube), or developing new content e.g. via podcasting, or through data visualization. There may be work available to assist with report writing as well. If you would like to apply, please email gsa.crim@ox.ac.uk by the end of MT week 2 and explain what relevant skills or experience you can bring to the role. One of our core group members is particularly interested in working with someone with podcasting skills.

Collaborative Immigration Law Clinic at HMP Huntercombe

The Centre for Criminology, the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights and Turpin & Miller established a collaborative immigration law clinic at HMP Huntercombe in 2018. The clinic occurs every fortnight in the prison. Students are overseen by solicitor Tom Giles, and supported by Prof. Mary Bosworth. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about legal practice and about asylum and immigration law. It is a year-long commitment. Information about this opportunity is circulated in week 0 of Michaelmas term each year by the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights.

Death Penalty Project-Oxford Criminology Research Internships

We have available an opportunity for an Oxford Criminology MSc student to engage in research for the Death Penalty Project (DPP) and Oxford Criminology’s Death Penalty Research Unit (DPRU). The internship would begin in Michaelmas term. The intern would conduct research for a new project on abolitionist de facto countries in the Caribbean and Africa, and the barriers perceived by policymakers and governments in moving towards full abolition. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Daniel Cullen of the DPRU. If you would like to apply, please email gsa@crim.ox.ac.uk by the end of MT week 3 and explain what relevant skills or experience you can bring to the role.

The Sentencing Academy

The Sentencing Academy is a research and engagement charitable incorporated organisation dedicated to developing expert and public understanding of sentencing in England and Wales. It encourages the Government to implement effective sentencing practices and informs public debate about sentencing, acting as a bridge between those with expert knowledge of sentencing, the public, and policy makers. There is an opportunity for one student to volunteer at the Sentencing academy each year. 

Studying prison with prisoners: The Oxford-HMP Huntercombe reading group

This group is an opportunity for serving prisoners and students to meet together, discuss agreed readings and other topics of interest. The group takes place at nearby prision, HMP Huntercombe and students will also be able to meet prision managers and see the prison. Over the last two years, it has run over three mornings, but after feedback from prisoners and students, we plan to extend it to 4-6 sessions. A maximum of six students per visit. Please let gsa@crim.ox.ac.uk know by MT week 2 if you would like to join the group in Hliary Term 2024. Preference will be given to students in the Prison Option. 

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