Professor Abi Dymond

My work focuses predominantly on issues around police, policing and places of detention - in particular the use of force, less lethal weapons, scrutiny and accountability in such environments.  Theoretically, I aim to work across disciplines, bringing insights from Science and Technology Studies to bear on criminology. Methodologically, I use mixed-methods, engaging in a range of qualitative work - including interviews and observational work - and quantitative methods. Practically, I engage in a range of impact activities alongside my research, both nationally (via my work advising the College of Policing, the Home Office, HM Inspectorate of the Constabulary Fire and Rescue Service, the Independent Office of Police Conduct and National Police Chief’s Council amongst others) and internationally (working with the OSCE, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the UN Prevention of Torture Subcommittee, and UN Special Rapporteurs, amongst others). I previously worked for a number of UK NGO, including the Omega Research Foundation, and received travel costs from Taser International between the 2nd and 8th November 2014 to attend the Annual Conference of the Institute for the Prevention of In Custody Deaths and to present my PhD research to their Senior Management.

I was delighted to win the Policing Book Prize from the European Society of Criminology Policing Working Group (2023) for my monograph Electric-shock weapons, TASERS and Policing: Myths and Realities, the European Society of Criminology Early Career Prize, awarded by the Policing Working Group (2021), and the ESRC Impact Prize for Outstanding Early Career Impact (2018).