Jenni Ward, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Middlesex University London
Abstract:
This session reports on the delivery of a criminology module in Her Majesty’s Prison Wandsworth. The module brings students from university, and from within prisons to learn together, and from one another, in an innovative method of knowledge exchange and discussion. The session promotes the value of university and prison education partnerships for the individual, social, and institutional transformations activated through these working models.
Session summary:
This session reports from the delivery of a Middlesex University criminology module taught in Her Majesty’s Prison Wandsworth between January and May 2017. The module forms part of the ‘Learning Together’ initiative established by Cambridge University now running in a number of English prisons. Learning Together brings students from university, and from within prisons to learn together, and from one another in an innovative method of knowledge exchange and discussion. There is an expanding conversation on the value university and prison education partnerships can have, and the individual, social, and institutional transformations that are achieved through these working models. This presentation critically discusses the module delivery and the key findings from the evaluation research conducted alongside it.
Key questions of the evaluation research explore:
- How students interpret their achievements and success within a module of this type?
- How engaging in a module of this style alters and develops students’ perceptions of themselves, and builds confidence and skill to express, share, and challenge ideas among fellow learners?
- In what ways is participating in this module assisting to advance future educational and employment aspirations?
This session links with the conference theme of ‘Teaching in a Time of Uncertainty’ in the way that universities are increasingly needing to engage with external partners to establish connections that offer different and unique opportunities to students during their education, specifically to enhance and strengthen employability chances on graduation.
It is argued in this session, that the module being discussed is an example of the university going beyond the bounds of the traditional classroom on campus, to tap into innovative and alternative teaching and learning methods that appeal to students who are looking to capitalise on a university experience that is individually transformative and that builds their personal potential. It fulfils Middlesex University’s ambition to add value to a student’s educational experience during the time they study with us. These features also locate the session within the strand of ‘diversity as a resource for student success’. This is in the way that the module style is providing students with a special experience to learn alongside people from different social backgrounds and with different life experiences and assists appreciation of the value of learning alongside people with diverse experiences to expand and enrichen knowledge, awareness, tolerance, and cultural understanding, all of which are essential to wider university ambitions of contributing to socially just, diverse, and inclusive societies.