Dr Charlotte Brooks

I joined the University of Leicester as a Teaching Fellow in Criminology in July 2024. I obtained a PhD in Criminology and Social Policy from the University of Nottingham (2025), and an MA in Research Methods from the University of Nottingham (2020).

My PhD research was an ESRC funded collaborative studentship with the charity Unlock, exploring university admissions policies and practices for people with criminal records. My research interests focus on access to education and exploring the 'collateral consequences' of a criminal record in the United Kingdom. I am particularly interested in how a criminal record can impact access to university and subsequent career options.  

During my PhD studies, I participated in a policy internship at the Ministry of Justice, undertaking research into probation policy.  Prior to studying for my PhD, I have worked within the charity sector and within widening participation and student support at different universities.

Brooks, C. (2023) Higher education policies for applicants with criminal records in the United Kingdom: Are universities ‘banning the box?'. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 25 (1), pp.72-98.

Brooks, C. (2023) Phase 0 Evaluation of the Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. London, Ministry of Justice [Internal Publication]. 

Current Teaching

• CR1004 Introduction to Criminology (Undergraduate)
• CR1011 Introduction to Forensic Psychology (Undergraduate)
• CR2008 Punishment & Rehabilitation (Undergraduate)
• CR2021 Criminological Research Methods 2 (Undergraduate)