PGR/ECR Virtual Discussion Group: How and Why Hate Crime Occurs in Scotland
Wednesday 16 October 2024, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm BST, online (UK)
Rania Hamad (PhD Candidate, University of Edinburgh)
Abstract: Scotland is often considered to be one of the world’s most friendly, welcoming countries, and viewed as having the best LGBT+ legal equality in Europe. Nonetheless, annual data published by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service demonstrates that hate crime and prejudice in all their forms continue to be lived, everyday realities for many of our citizens in Scotland, with 5,992 charges with at least one hate crime element reported in 2023-24. With the broad consensus that hate crime is significantly under-reported, is prejudice and hatred towards other people more of an issue in Scotland than we may think? What drives people to target and harm other people on the basis of certain identity characteristics? And can we truly say that they hate them?
Remarkably, there is little Scottish-based research on the motivations of those who commit hate crime, despite such accounts being central to our understanding of how and why hate crime occurs. To this end, my ongoing PhD research at the University of Edinburgh is focusing on how and why hate crime occurs, by speaking directly to people convicted of hate crime in Scotland and gaining their in-depth accounts. I hope to be able to add to the existing research in this area, and to explore the different intersecting levels that may contribute to inequalities and hate crime occurring. Greater knowledge of the dynamics of hate crime may better inform the response of justice agencies, including what constitutes effective interventions, and prevent further re-victimisation and harm. This session will outline some of the key theories on the causation of hate crime (including individual motivations), and highlight the potential responses to hate crime, including the opportunities presented by restorative justice.
Bio
Rania Hamad qualified as a social worker in 2007 and is currently in her third year of a part-time PhD in Social Work at the University of Edinburgh, with a focus on the causes of, and responses to, hate crime. She is also employed as a Strategic Inspector (Justice) with the Care Inspectorate. Prior to this, she undertook a two-year post as a Professional Justice Social Work Adviser with the Scottish Government’s Community Justice Division. She was previously employed as a social worker with the City of Edinburgh Council for 14 years. During this time she has worked in youth justice services, adult justice social work services (including groupwork services, Edinburgh prison, and a trauma-informed service for women involved in the criminal justice system), and is a qualified Practice Educator. Her latter role with the City of Edinburgh Council was as a Senior Practitioner for Hate Crime and Restorative Justice, responsible for service developments in relation to working with people who have been convicted of hate offences, and developing a Restorative Justice service for hate crime (both in a community setting and in custody) in partnership with Police Scotland and Community Justice Scotland. She has an MA in Sociology with Gender Studies and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Edinburgh.
About this discussion group:
This discussion group is part of the BSC Hate Crime Network, and has been designed to create a supportive space for PGRs and ECRs who are researching within the broad area of hate studies. PGRs could include students studying at MA and doctoral level, and ECRs includes those researchers who are within five years of receiving their doctorate (this is flexible depending on personal circumstances). The group brings PGRs and ECRs together to share their research projects, discuss methodological issues, and consider best practices when researching sensitive topics.
The group will touch upon, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Working with and supporting victims
- Managing the sensitivity of hate studies research
- Ethical issues
- Working with policy-makers and practitioners
- Creative and inclusive research methods
- Our responsibility as researchers
- Working with perpetrators of hate crime
In addition to these discussions, the group will also organise occasional training sessions with more experienced researchers. These training sessions could cover some of the above, but please get in touch if there are any particular areas that you would benefit from. These sessions will be led by an experienced researcher within the area of hate studies, but there will continue to be an emphasis on open discussion and Q&A. All sessions will run online (unless otherwise stated) via Zoom. These will be bi-monthly on a Wednesday afternoon lasting 1 hour (2-3pm). Presenters will speak for approximately 25 minutes, and this will be followed by a discussion.
Find more information and book your free place here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bschatecrimenetwork/1310275?