Susan Watson

Dr. Susan Watson is a Lecturer in Criminal Justice and Social Policy at the University of York's School for Business and Society. Her work integrates academic expertise with extensive professional experience in political campaigning, policy development, and parliamentary research. She holds a PhD in Social Policy from the University of York, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, focusing on technology-mediated gender-based violence.

Her research interests include feminist criminology, social policy frameworks, and the intersection of technology with gender violence. She pioneered the New Methods for New Media Network at Queen's University Belfast and has advised public and third-sector organizations on policy development.

Key achievements include winning the 2021 Excellence in Doctoral Research Award for her presentation on online abuse's impact, and a multidisciplinary approach using qualitative methods like NVivo for literature reviews and interviews with women in high-profile roles globally.

Watson has published in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Feminist Media Studies, and her work bridges criminology, sociology, and digital media studies. Her current focus emphasizes ethical challenges in researching new media and the societal implications of vituperative online communication.