Carceral Spaces Network
The Carceral Spaces Network (CSN) is a multidisciplinary research community at the University of Hull that brings together academics engaged in exploring the concept and realities of carceral spaces.
These spaces are defined by practices of confinement, control, and surveillance, often linked to the criminal justice system. While traditionally associated with prisons, carceral spaces also include immigration detention centres, juvenile facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and other institutional settings. Beyond physical confinement, CSN also examines forms of psychological or social incarceration, such as enforced isolation, coercive environments, and restrictive regimes that shape lived experiences.
Objectives
Foster interdisciplinary dialogue among scholars from diverse fields, including criminology, sociology, law, health, history, literature, and cultural studies.
Advance research and knowledge exchange on the nature, impact, and representation of carceral spaces in contemporary and historical contexts.
Explore broader implications of confinement and surveillance for social justice, human rights, and public policy.
Support collaborative projects that challenge conventional understandings of carcerality and contribute to transformative practices.
Activities
Organising seminars, workshops, and conferences to share research and stimulate debate.
Developing collaborative research initiatives and publications across disciplines.
Hosting public engagement events to connect academic work with community perspectives and lived experiences.
Building networks with external partners, including NGOs, policymakers, and cultural institutions, to influence practice and policy.
Network members
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Helen Nichol | Network Manager |
| Dr Stephanie Brown | Lecturer in Criminology |
| Dr Rachael Craven | Lecturer in Nursing |
| Dr Rachel Dixon | Lecturer in Law |
| Dr Barnaby Haran | (CIC Co-Director), Senior Lecturer in American Arts |
| Dr Alicia Heys | Senior Lecturer in Modern Slavery |
| Dr Gwadabe Kurawa | Head of MA Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Inclusion Programme |
| Dr Jo Metcalf | (CIC Co-Director), Senior Lecturer in Criminology and American Studies |
| Dr Nathaniel Smith | Lecturer in Nursing |
| Professor Simon Smith | Professor of International History |
| Dr Christopher Westoby | Programme Director, MA Creative Writing (Online) |
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