Tara Young

I am Lecturer in Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Kent’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR).

My central focus of my research is on marginalised young people as perpetrators and victims of anti-social behaviour and violent crime. I am interested in the manifestation of the ‘gang’ as a social problem in the UK in the context of an increasingly punitive statutory response to youth crime, and how gang-associated girls and young women formulate their identity, exercise control and power, and avoid victimisation.

I have also conducted research on mentoring as a strategy for ‘at risk’ young people, crime displacement, sexual violence (including multiple perpetrator rape) and domestic violence.

I joined SSPSSR in September 2016 having worked at London Metropolitan University since 2004. Before joining LondonMet I was employed as Senior Research Officer at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

I graduated from the University of Bristol West of England with a First Class degree BSc (Hons) in Sociology. I have an MSc in Criminology from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a PhD Criminology (by prior output) from London Metropolitan University.