Research in Restorative Justice and related studies - establishing a research group

It is proposed to establish a group to promote research in Restorative Justice and related studies.

The aim of this group will be to explore opportunities for research development in areas that would enhance our teaching at degree level and our potential rating in future RAEs.

The prime objective at this stage will be to identify potential areas of collaboration in research development.

The group will seek collaborators both within the UHI social science and childhood and youth studies staff groups and also with other academic institutions which are part of the support network for the UHI transition to university status.

We will also community partners who have an interest in research into areas of restorative practice. This could lead in the longer term to practitioner research based in postgraduate programmes.

A second objective will be to identify potential sources of funding for research and related activities.

At this point it is thought that the most useful form of identification for such a group would be 'Research Group for Restorative Justice and Related Studies’.

The initial members of the group would be Jon Clarke (Lecturer in Childhood and Youth Studies), Shiona McArthur (Lecturer in Sociology) and Rob Mackay (Honorary Research Fellow).

The adoption of an identity would assist in communication with colleagues and institutions.

An immediate initiative will be to develop links with the emerging practice network Restorative Practice Scotland and the Criminal Justice Social Work Development Centre for Scotland at the University of Edinburgh.

A draft development plan can be accessed by falling the link below:

Restorative Practice Research Group Development Plan