PGR/ECR Virtual Discussion Group: Exploring Men’s Perspectives on Making Misogyny a Hate Crime
Wednesday 20 November 2024, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm GMT, online (UK)
Ellie Buxton (Doctoral Researcher, Loughborough University)
Title: Exploring Men’s Perspectives on Making Misogyny a Hate Crime
This project is inspired by the recent increase in public conversation around what has been referred to as a ‘national epidemic’ of violence against women in the UK. Discussions regarding solutions to this ‘epidemic’ have focused on whether to include misogyny in hate crime policy; but there is limited literature about this in the UK context. Whilst there is significant support for this policy from some women’s rights groups, there is a lack of consensus regarding the use of criminal justice approaches to tackle violence against women. There have also been calls to refocus on men’s role in preventing this violence. This research will utilise a feminist rationale for engaging men in the prevention of violence against women, which recognises that whilst most men do not use violence, men are the main perpetrators of this violence when it does take place, therefore locating solutions in the practices of men, and constructions of masculinity. The objective of this study is to explore how men perceive the ‘issue’ of misogyny, and the potential influence of misogyny hate crime policy on men’s attitudes towards violence against women and its prevention. This will be achieved by conducting focus groups with men, which will address the following research questions: how do men construct and define misogyny, do men view misogyny as a social problem that needs addressing, and what are men’s perceived implications of making misogyny a hate crime? This thesis aims to inform conversations around the potential inclusion of misogyny as a hate crime, and responses to violence against women in the UK more broadly.
Bio:
Ellie completed her undergraduate degree (BA Hons) in Human Geography at the University of Liverpool, followed by a masters degree in Social Policy at the University of Birmingham, which inspired her interest in policy which aims to address the issue of violence against women and girls.
Ellie is currently a doctoral researcher at Loughborough University, based in the School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy. Her research interests include engaging men and boys in the prevention of violence against women and girls, and her current project focuses on exploring men’s perspectives on making misogyny a hate crime.
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/1310511?