Dr Craig Webber
Associate Professor and Programme Director, online master’s courses in Artificial Intelligence
Overview
Dr Craig Webber is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Programme Director of our three online master’s in artificial intelligence (AI). He served as Head of the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology from 2020 to 2024.
His interdisciplinary research draws on criminology, technology, and youth justice. This work forges new pathways in the treatment and understanding of young individuals within the criminal justice system.
Craig also leads the development of digital interventions aimed at enhancing outcomes for neurodivergent youths involved in legal challenges. His research is particularly relevant to our online MA in AI (Criminal Justice Systems), providing students with critical insights into the intersection of AI, youth justice, and innovative approaches to criminal justice reform.
His commitment to innovation in criminal justice extends to his role in various collaborative projects with significant societal and community impacts.
Research interests
- Youth justice and child-first principles: Advocating for approaches that prioritise the wellbeing and potential of young individuals in the justice system.
- Digital interventions in criminal justice settings: Designing and implementing technology-driven solutions to improve justice processes and outcomes.
- Neurodiversity in youth offending: Exploring the specific needs and potential of neurodivergent youths in the criminal justice framework.
- Cybercrime and online deviance: Investigating the dimensions and drivers of criminal activities in digital spaces and developing preventive strategies.
Career highlights
- Pioneering research: Spearheaded a transformative project developing digital interventions for youths in police custody, using insights from diverse fields such as criminology, anthropology, archaeology, and computer science.
- Authorship and scholarly contributions: Authored 'Crime and Psychology: A Critical Perspective' and co-authored 'Precarious Futures: Crime, Technology and Justice,' enriching academic and professional discourse on contemporary challenges in criminology.
- Sector collaborations: Played a pivotal role in implementing innovative custody practices in collaboration with Hampshire Police and other forces across England and Wales. Oversaw the adoption of new technologies like video book systems to enhance the treatment and outcomes of youths in custody.
- Academic and community engagement: Craig is a member of the ESRC Peer Review College and serves as an Associate Editor for the journal Criminology and Criminal Justice. He has also organised numerous knowledge exchange events to foster dialogue and co-creation among students, police officers, and youth advocates.