Scottish students to explore ‘green criminology’

From next year, third-year students from the Division of Sociology at Abertay University will take on a new ‘Green Criminology’ module, the first of its kind in Scotland.

The topic will include a range of issues around climate change activism, as well as other ‘green’ themes such as analysis of grouse moor management in the context of land reform, animal abuse, and the use of fossil fuels.

Course leader Dr Andrew Samuel said he aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to deal with this growing and important area of social science.

He added: “Over the coming years, climate change is going to have to be at the root of all public policy, so it is more important than ever that students are asked to engage with this issue, have the opportunity to analyse facts and, crucially, to take part in academic analysis and discourse.

“Applying criminological theory to a wide range of mainstream ‘green’ issues and social problems allows us to look more widely at the implications of environmental harm, criminality and offending behaviour.”