Laura Polley

Laura teaches Undergraduates on the BSc Criminology course. She delivers core modules, including the Level 4 Introduction to Criminology module and the Level 4 Social Science Skills module. She also teaches Contemporary Issues in Criminology and Mental Health Policy and Practice. Further, Laura uses her previous experience working as a Supervising Officer in HMPPS to deliver Level 6 modules in Penology, and the Rehabilitation of Offenders.

Laura is passionate about multi-disciplinary teaching and learning and has delivered lectures within the BSc Mental Health Nursing course, as well as the BA Special Educational Needs and Disability Studies course, drawing on her professional experience as a Supervising Officer within HMPPS.

Laura is passionate about Lived Experience as teaching pedagogy, and as such, regularly invites both professionals and service-users with involvement in Criminal Justice to deliver sessions to Criminology students, enabling students to make links between theory and practice within their lectures and seminars. She is also passionate about experiential learning, organising field trips and professional activities for students to learn outside of the classroom.

Research Interests

Laura has broad research interests across Criminology and Sociology, with a focus on prisons, particularly in a cultural context. Additionally, Laura has a research interest in Feminist Sociology, as well as Action Research with communities. Her PhD is exploring how women experience the OnlyFans platform, extending traditional ideas of pornography to capture this new phenomena.

Laura is also currently co-investigator of the Sizewell C Community Impact Study, exploring how residents are experiencing and perceiving the construction of Sizewell C’s nuclear power station on the Suffolk Coast.

Publications

• Polley, Laura and Smith, Richard (2020) Exploring body worn cameras; Prison Officer perceptions of safety and accountability. Prison Service Journal.
• Bidwell, Lili and Polley, Laura (2023) "Mind your language" What people in prison think about the language used to describe them. The Howard journal of crime and justice, 62 (3). pp. 313-324. ISSN 2059-1101
• Polley, Laura (2024) Situating OnlyFans within wider landscapes of pornography. Papers from the British Criminology Conference, 22. pp. 54-67. ISSN 1759-0043
• Hoefer, Tamara and Polley, Laura (2024) Understanding the retention factors of Prison Officers within His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, 10 (1). pp. 95-108. ISSN 2056-3841

Laura is a volunteer for Anglia Care Trust – a local third-sector organisation offering support with housing, domestic abuse, money advice and advocacy. As part of her role, she regularly attends Police Investigation Centres to act as an Appropriate Adult for children and vulnerable adults, supporting them through their detention. Additionally, Laura volunteers her time to the housing department at Anglia Care Trust, creating and delivering food parcels to those in need within her community.

Laura is passionate about supporting rough sleepers within Suffolk, and regularly engages with agencies that support this group to volunteer her time to assist with various projects. Laura regularly delivers hot meals and care packages to those rough sleeping in partnership with local businesses.

Laura remains in close contact with her previous colleagues within Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, and created Distraction Packs with her Criminology students to support prisons during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Laura has a passion for supporting local third-sector organisations, and has recently delivered staff training to Ipswich Contact Centre.