Karen Cooper

Karen Cooper is a Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the School of Education and Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland (UWS). She holds a DPhil in Criminology from the University of Oxford and has held roles as a Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh (2013–2021) and Research Analyst at the Scottish Government’s Justice Analytical Services (2008–2013). Her research focuses on vulnerable youth populations, particularly exploring how online environments impact relationships, mental health, and risk behaviors. She employs mixed-methods approaches to study topics such as sexting, child sexual exploitation, and youth justice.

Key affiliations include:

• UWS: Lecturer (2022–present), Research Fellow (2020–2022)
• University of Edinburgh: Research Fellow (2013–2021)
• Scottish Government: Research Analyst (2008–2013)

Research interests emphasize:

• Risk and coercion among vulnerable youth
• Social media’s role in mental health and wellbeing
• Co-production of resources with stakeholders
• Evaluation of interventions targeting youth violence

Current projects with RAND Europe address police use of out-of-court disposals and the Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce (APST), aiming to reduce youth violence. Her work aligns with UN SDGs related to justice, education, and mental health.

Key collaborations include EU-funded SPIRTO (UK/Sweden/Germany) and projects in South Korea (British Council grant). She has published widely on child sexual exploitation, online safety, and youth engagement strategies.