Finley Macdonald

Finley Macdonald is a Lecturer in Criminology and Programme Leader for Criminology and Law at the University of the West of England (UWE). Their academic focus spans hate crime, racial injustice in criminal justice systems, forensic science, and environmental forensics. They hold a BSc in Criminology with Psychology (2021), an MSc in Forensic Science (2022), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (2024). Currently pursuing a PhD at UWE, Macdonald contributes to criminal justice reform discourse through research and teaching.

• BSc (Criminology with Psychology), 2021
• MSc (Forensic Science), 2022
• Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 2024
• PhD Programme, ongoing

Research interests include systemic racial injustice in policing and forensic science, hate crimes, race action plans, and environmental impacts on criminal justice. Past roles include a 2021 collaboration with ACH Organisation on refugee integration and a 2022 Research Assistant position examining soil-environment relationships. Teaching covers modules like Understanding Crime, Introduction to Evidence-Based Policing, and Criminology in Action.

Macdonald is affiliated with the Race Matters Network (Avon and Somerset Constabulary) and contributes to interdisciplinary work at the intersection of criminology and forensic science.