British Society of Criminology Conference 2025
Welcome to the British Society of Criminology 2025 website! We look forward to welcoming you to the iconic and historic city of Portsmouth. Portsmouth hosted the BSC conference twice, in 2004 and 2012. We are delighted to welcome the criminology community to our vibrant university and city once more. The Postgraduate Conference takes place on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, with the Main Conference taking place from 2 to 4 July 2025. It will be nice and compact, with the academic programme taking place in three adjacent buildings. Portsmouth is a very walkable city with shops, restaurants, hotels and the sea never far away!
We are Lisa Sugiura and Francis Pakes, and we lead our excellent organising committee. As the largest criminology conference, we have strength in depth, and we hope to provide a conference experience that is smooth, fun, challenging and enriching.
Come to Portsmouth! We can't wait to host you all in our beautiful seaside city.
Lisa Sugiura & Francis Pakes
Theme: Criminology for Social Justice
With inclusivity at its core, our focus is on how Criminology furthers the development of human rights, equal opportunities, integrity and fair treatment within the criminal justice system, and promotes the interests of disadvantaged communities and groups. We welcome all approaches, including critical conceptual and methodological approaches, lived experience, as well as civic engagement and applied research. The conference aims to further influence decision-making in government, and improve public policy, society, and everyone’s lives. We look forward to hosting you in Portsmouth by the sea in 2025!
The conference is face-to-face. We are bringing together delegates from diverse backgrounds (academics, policymakers, practitioners, NGOs, businesses) to discuss and share ideas on the most seminal and pressing issues in criminology today. Like previous years the conference programme starts with a dedicated postgraduate research day, and comprises plenary sessions, parallel sessions, roundtables, a poster session, and author meets critics sessions. We provide opportunities to network, expand your knowledge, and to present ideas to others.
Key dates
Abstract Submissions closing March 24th 2025, 6pm UK time
Abstract Acceptance confirmation April 4th 2025
Early bird registrations close on April 11th 2025
Final Registration closes on May 30th 2025.
Registration
Early bird registrations open on January 13th 2025, and close on April 11th 2025. Authors of accepted abstracts must have registered by April 11th 2025, to present at the conference and be included in the conference programme.
Final Registration will close on May 30th 2025.
For our PGR colleagues, you can book the PGR conference only or the PGR and full conference.
Booking for the conference dinner is on a first-come, first-serve basis as limited tickets are available.
Tuesday 1st July 2025 - PGR Day: Workshops, panels/presentations, plenary TBC
PGR Evening Social
Wednesday 2nd July 2025 - Main Conference Day 1: Plenaries, Panels/ presentations/ roundtables TBC
Evening: Poster session and competition, Welcome Drinks and BBQ, Prizes
Thursday 3rd July 2025 - Plenaries, Panels/ presentations/ roundtables TBC
Evening: Conference Dinner
Friday 4th July 2025 - Plenaries, Panels/ presentations/ roundtables TBC
Conference Close
Boards will be available for Posters to be displayed throughout the conference. Presenters will need to print and bring their posters with them. There will be a dedicated poster session on the evening of Wednesday, 2nd July, where delegates can vote for the best poster prize, with the winner announced during the prize-giving session at the Welcome Drinks.
Posters should be A1 in size and portrait and include contact information
Abstract submissions will open at 9 am (UK time) on January 13th 2025, and will close at 6 pm (UK time) on March 24th 2025, for both the postgraduate research day and the main conference.
Abstracts can be submitted for individual papers and poster presentations for EITHER the Postgraduate Research Day OR the Main Conference and will be a maximum of 250 words.
For the Main conference:
If you would like to organise a parallel session panel, please submit 3-4 abstracts and the details of each author/s, along with a brief (250-word) description as to the overarching panel theme.
If you would like to organise a roundtable, please submit a 500-word document outlining the focus of the roundtable and suggested speakers (3-4).
If you have recently published a book and would like to participate in an author meets critic session, please contact the team directly at bsc2025@port.ac.uk
Please ensure that you choose the correct session for your abstract submission.
Authors can expect to hear back about their submission within three weeks.
All accepted abstracts will be confirmed by April 4th 2025.
Instructions for Presentations
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Plenary Speakers
Plenary Themes
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Plenary Themes
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Plenary Themes
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PGR Conference
Welcome to the 2025 British Society of Criminology Postgraduate Day!
We are delighted to invite postgraduate students from across the UK to the Postgraduate Day at the 2025 British Society of Criminology Annual Conference in Portsmouth on July 1st, 2025. This exclusive event is designed to provide a unique platform for early career researchers to showcase their work, exchange ideas, and build valuable professional connections within the criminology community.
Why Attend the Postgraduate Day?
The Postgraduate Day is an excellent opportunity for postgraduate students to engage in a day of focused activities, offering a combination of academic development, networking, and support. This event provides an encouraging environment where you can:
- Present Your Research: Share your current work with fellow postgraduates and leading criminologists. This is a fantastic opportunity to receive constructive feedback and enhance your research.
- Participate in Workshops and Panels: Engage in skill-building workshops designed specifically for postgraduate students. Topics may include career development, publication strategies, and effective research methodologies.
- Network with Experts and Peers: Meet other students and early career researchers, as well as established criminologists, creating valuable connections that can help shape your future career.
- Career Advice and Mentorship: Access tailored advice on career pathways in criminology, criminal justice, and academia from experienced professionals in the field.
- Inspiration and Motivation: Take part in sessions aimed at fostering confidence and encouraging the next generation of criminologists to push boundaries and challenge established norms.
Key Highlights of the Postgraduate Day
- Research Presentations: Present your research in a supportive and interactive environment. Whether your work is theoretical, empirical, or policy-focused, the Postgraduate Day offers a platform to receive feedback and ideas from peers and experts alike.
- Interactive Skill-Building Workshops: Participate in workshops designed to help postgraduate students sharpen their research, communication, and professional development skills. Topics may include: Writing for publication, Securing funding and research grants, Effective time management for researchers, Preparing for the job market, Public engagement and dissemination of criminology research.
- Panel Discussions with Experts: Gain insights into the current trends and future directions of criminological research and practice. Learn about the challenges and opportunities facing criminologists today, and hear from experts who will share their experiences in navigating the academic and professional landscape.
- Networking Opportunities: Engage with a vibrant community of postgraduate students, early career researchers, and experienced criminologists. Build lasting connections that could lead to collaboration and mentoring opportunities.
The Postgraduate Day offers multiple ways for you to engage:
- Submit Your Abstract: If you are a postgraduate student and would like to present your research, submit an abstract for consideration. This is a great way to showcase your work, get valuable feedback, and improve your presentation skills.
- Register to Attend: Whether you’re presenting your research or attending to gain new insights, registering for the Postgraduate Day will ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn and grow as a researcher.
- Volunteer: Volunteers play an essential role in the success of the event. If you're interested in helping out with logistics and supporting the smooth running of the day, consider signing up as a volunteer.
Premier Inn Portsmouth City Centre hotel
- 1 Isambard Brunel Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2TR
- Phone: 03333219358
Travelodge Portsmouth City Centre
- Stanhope Rd, Portsmouth, PO1 1FB
Premier Inn Portsmouth Dockyard Hotel
- Queen St, Portsea, Portsmouth, PO1 3EE
- Phone: 08715278000
- Winston Churchill Ave, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO1 2LX
- Phone: 02392640000
Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth - Gunwharf Quays, an IHG Hotel
- The Plaza, Portsmouth, PO1 3FD
- Phone: 02392894240
- 75-80 Queen St, Portsea, Portsmouth, PO1 3HS
- Phone: 02392982182
The Ship Leopard Boutique Hotel
- 15-16 The Hard, Portsea, Portsmouth, PO1 3DT
- Phone: 02392876020
- 21 The Hard, Portsmouth, PO1 3DT
- Phone: 02392870505
- 24-26 The Hard, Portsmouth, PO1 3DT
- Phone: 02392833231
- 25 Ordnance Row, Portsmouth, PO1 3DN
- Phone: 02392833231
The Duke Of Buckingham
- 119 High St, Portsmouth, PO1 2HW
- Phone 02392827067
Information coming shortly
Hotels
Location
Time Zone
Currency and exchange
Climate
Other important information
Social Event
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Sustainability statement
The British Society of Criminology and the University of Portsmouth are committed to minimising the environmental footprint of the 2025 annual conference.
The University of Portsmouth is aiming to become a climate-positive university by 2030. We’re one of only a handful of universities to set such an ambitious target.
By continually improving our sustainability practices, we’re working towards a low-carbon future to minimise our impact on the environment.
See Sustainability|University of Portsmouth
Reducing Waste
All University of Portsmouth catering outlets aim to minimise packaging and where possible utilise compostable materials.
We will not be printing conference programmes and printing in general will be kept to a minimum. All conference details will be available on the website and via the conference app.
We would encourage participants to bring a reusable water bottle and cup to reduce the use of single use plastics
Contact us
For all conference enquiries, please email bsc2025@port.ac.uk