Richard Peake

Dr. Richard Peake is an Associate Professor in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Leeds' School of Law. His research focuses on the prison system (long-term prisoners, private sector prisons), probation, youth justice, and educational equity for non-traditional students. He transitioned to academia after a 23-year career in the RAF, earning a first-class BA in Social Policy and Criminology from Hull University (1999) and a PhD (2008).

• Current roles: Co-founder of the Centre for Innovation & Research in Legal Education (CIRLE), teaching on inequalities and penology.
• Publications: Authored a MOOC on prisons/punishment (FutureLearn, 2019), and research on non-A-level student transitions in higher education.

Professional memberships include the British Society of Criminology and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. His work bridges criminal justice policy and pedagogical innovation, advocating for marginalized student groups and penal system reforms.