My research explores the relationship between the criminal law and society, particularly the impact of law on the most vulnerable. I am one of a minority of legal academics skilled in the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Two current areas of interest are:

1) Public Space and the Law - use of law to exclude and curtail the freedoms of vulnerable members of society in their use of public space. This research builds on my previous research on the control of anti-social behaviour. In recent years, I have been exploring how current trends in law reform in the UK and elsewhere have been towards greater regulation of the use of public space in the name of gentrification, consumerism and crime control.

2) Older Victims of Crime - exploring crimes that impact on older people and the response of the justice system to this. This has included exploring the phenomenon of unequal access to justice for older victims of crime, including commissioned work for the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland. It also involves exploring age as a protected characteristic in hate crime legislation.