Origins
The Violence and Society Research Group started with one young surgeon’s desire to reduce violent assault injuries. Over the past decade, its research has helped bring about practical action at the local, national and international level. Now the Group is a winner of one of the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education – the fourth won by Cardiff University members.
Staff Profiles
The key members of the team, and their areas of expertise. The Group draws on a range of expertise, including academics from the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Business, Psychology.
Past Winners
Cardiff University members have a track record of success in the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes. The three previous winners are: Professor Tony Campbell, School of Medicine, 1998 – Use of chemiluminescence; Manufacturing Engineering Centre, 2000 – Contribution to the economy; Institute of Medical Genetics, 2007 – Understanding of inherited disease.
Research Results
The Group’s research has appeared in key science, criminology and medical journals. In the UK-wide 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, its work was highlighted as an area of “world-leading research.”
That work continues, with current areas of interest including evaluation of the data sharing model, the movement of crowds in the build-up to violence, the safer design of licensed premises and the risk factors which make offending more likely among young people.
Practical results
Cardiff has helped place the health service at the heart of UK crime prevention. Locally, by setting up the Cardiff Crime Reduction Group, the Group developed a partnership approach to beating violence, including academics, health professionals, South Wales Police and Cardiff Council.
The Group has also supported a shift in the way the NHS supports victims of violence across the UK.
Tributes
The work of the Violence and Society Research Group has been important in building local partnerships against crime, particularly in the city centre late at night. It has also influenced national and international policy in this field. Senior figures from Cardiff University, Government, the Police, the Local Authority and the NHS have all congratulated the Research Group on its work and the award of the Prize.