Professor Amanda Robinson

Professor of Criminology
Co-Director of the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute
Director, Universities' Police Science Institute

School of Social Sciences

: Media commentator
: Available for postgraduate supervision

After completing my postgraduate training at Michigan State University in 2001 (a PhD in Interdisciplinary Social Science with concentrations in criminology, sociology, and industrial/organisational psychology), I moved to Cardiff and am now a Professor of Criminology. I am also Director of the Universities' Police Science Institute and Co-Director of the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute at Cardiff University.

My research generally includes a strong policy focus, and I am particularly interested in advancing knowledge in relation to how the police and criminal justice system, health and community-based agencies can best respond to violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Notable examples of my research include the development of MARACs (multiagency risk assessment conferences), IDVAs (independent domestic violence advisors), police use of risk assessment tools such as the DASH in the UK and more recently the introduction of the PPIT to more effectively identify and disrupt the most harmful perpetrators of domestic abuse. I was also directly involved in shaping the Welsh Government's White Paper proposals that led to the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015. It is not often that academics are able to trace an idea from inception, through research, implementation and expansion, into new legislation, and I feel fortunate to have had this experience.

Over the years, I have acquired extensive experience collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data. I have been the Principal Investigator on a number of projects, ensuring the research is conducted ethically, sensitively and delivered to cost and on time. I am very adept at drawing out the main conclusions from complex multi-site and multi-method projects, and have acquired a reputation for my ability to produce 'digestible' practice-based messages for practitioners and policy-makers. Most of all, I just really enjoy conducting research and working collaboratively on projects that in some way are able to make a positive difference to the world in which we live.

Supervision

I welcome PhD applicants to work on topics related to:

Police and policing
Violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
Risk identification, assessment and management
Multi-agency approaches to crime and disorder
The criminal justice system

I have used a wide range of methodological approaches in my research and am particularly interested in supervising PhD students who want to used mixed methods.

2024

Melendez-Torres, G., Pell, B., Evans, R., Buckley, K., Coles, N., Retter, E. and Robinson, A. 2024. Impacts from delivering a whole health response strategy to domestic violence and abuse: an evaluation from the UK. Journal of Gender-Based Violence (10.1332/23986808Y2024D000000056)
Pell, B., Melendez-Torres, G. J., Buckley, K., Evans, R. and Robinson, A. 2024. A realist evaluation of a “whole health” response to domestic violence and abuse in the UK. Violence Against Women (10.1177/10778012241265364)
Watson, D. V. C., Amin, S. N. and Robinson, A. L. 2024. Responding to domestic and family violence in resource-constrained contexts: a case study on rural policing innovations in Melanesia. Policing: An International Journal 47(3), pp. 380-393. (10.1108/PIJPSM-11-2023-0154)
Robinson, A. L. and Davies, B. 2024. Specialist units for tackling violence against women and girls across Wales. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
Robinson, A. and Davies, B. 2024. Evaluation of South Wales Police ‘Operation Diogel’: Final Report. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.

2023

Hester, M. et al. 2023. What is justice? Perspectives of victims-survivors of gender-based violence. Violence Against Women (10.1177/10778012231214772)
Watson, D., Amin, S. and Robinson, A. 2023. Developing contextually appropriate responses to family and domestic violence in Melanesia: Project report from stakeholder engagement workshops. Project Report. Unpublished.

2022

Verbruggen, J., Blokland, A. A. J., Robinson, A. L. and Maxwell, C. D. 2022. General offending and intimate partner violence perpetration in young adulthood: A Dutch longitudinal study. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 66(16), pp. 1796-1820. (10.1177/0306624X211022657)
Verbruggen, J., Maxwell, C. D. and Robinson, A. L. 2022. The relationship between the development of general offending and intimate partner violence perpetration in young adulthood. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 37(3-4), pp. 1179-1205. (10.1177/0886260520922340)

2017

Robinson, A. and Clancy, A. 2017. New initiatives to tackle domestic violence using the Priority Perpetrator Identification Tool (PPIT). Technical Report.
Robinson, A. 2017. Establishing the efficacy of a telephone-based police response to domestic abuse: Hampshire Constabulary’s Resolution Centre. Technical Report.
Payton, J., Robinson, A. and Brookman, F. 2017. United Kingdom. In: Dawson, M. ed. Domestic Homicides and Death Reviews: An International Perspective. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 91-124., (10.1057/978-1-137-56276-0_4)
Robinson, A. and Eisenstadt, N. 2017. Just interactions? Victims’ accounts of their involvement with criminal justice agencies in England and Wales. Presented at: American Society of Criminology (2017), Philadelphia, PA, 15 -18 November 2017.
Robinson, A. and Maxwell, C. 2017. Typifying American exceptionalism: homicide in the USA. In: The Handbook of Homicide. Wiley-Blackwell
Maguire, M. and Robinson, A. 2017. Preventing violent crimes. In: Tilley, N. and Sidebottom, A. eds. Handbook of Crime Prevention and Community Safety. Routledge, pp. 407-438.
Robinson, A. 2017. Serial domestic abuse in Wales: an exploratory study into its definition, prevalence, correlates, and management. Victims & Offenders 12(5), pp. 643-662. (10.1080/15564886.2016.1187691)

2016

Medina Ariza, J. J., Robinson, A. L. and Myhill, A. 2016. Cheaper, faster, better: expectations and achievements in police risk assessment of domestic abuse. Policing 10(4), pp. 341-350. (10.1093/police/paw023)
Robinson, A. L., Pinchevsky, G. M. and Guthrie, J. A. 2016. Under the radar: policing non-violent domestic abuse in the US and UK. International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice 40(3), pp. 195-208. (10.1080/01924036.2015.1114001)
Robinson, A. and Clancy, A. 2016. All-Wales implementation testing of the Priority Perpetrator Identification Tool (PPIT) for domestic abuse. Technical Report.
Robinson, A. L., Pinchevsky, G. M. and Guthrie, J. A. 2016. A small constellation: risk factors informing police perceptions of domestic abuse. Policing and Society 28(2), pp. 189-204. (10.1080/10439463.2016.1151881)
Howarth, E. and Robinson, A. 2016. Responding effectively to women experiencing severe abuse: identifying key components of a British advocacy intervention. Violence Against Women 22(1), pp. 41-63. (10.1177/1077801215597789)

2015

Robinson, A. and Clancy, A. 2015. Development of the Priority Perpetrator Identification Tool (PPIT) for domestic abuse. Project Report. Cardiff, UK: Cardiff University.
Payton, J. and Robinson, A. 2015. Motivating respect: A Welsh intervention into youth-perpetrated domestic abuse. Technical Report.

2014

Robinson, A. 2014. Pie in the sky? The use of criminal justice policies and practices for intimate partner violence.. In: Johnson, H., Fisher, B. S. and Jaquier, V. eds. Critical Issues on Violence Against Women: International Perspectives and Promising Strategies. London: Routledge, pp. 66-76.
Robinson, A. L., Clancy, A. and Hanks, S. 2014. Prevalence and characteristics of serial domestic abuse perpetrators: multi-agency evidence from Wales. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
Clancy, A., Robinson, A. L. and Hanks, S. 2014. Defining and profiling serial domestic abuse perpetrators: an all-Wales feasibility review. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.

2013

Fevre, R. W., Robinson, A. L., Lewis, D. and Jones, T. D. B. 2013. The ill-treatment of employees with disabilities in British workplaces. Work, Employment and Society 27(2), pp. 288-307. (10.1177/0950017012460311)
Hubbard, A., Payton, J. and Robinson, A. L. 2013. Uncharted territory: violence against migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women in Wales. Project Report. [Online]. Wales Migration Partnership. Available at: http://www.wmp.org.uk/documents/wsmp/WSMP%20Info/Uncharted%20territory%20violence%20against%20migrant%20refugee%20and%20asylum%20seeking%20women%20in%20Wales.pdf
Maxwell, C. D. and Robinson, A. 2013. Can interventions reduce recidivism and revictimization following adult intimate partner violence incidents?. In: Carroll, L., Perez, M. and Taylor, R. eds. The Evidence for Violence Prevention Across the Lifespan and Around the World. The National Academies Press, pp. II-15.

2012

Robinson, A. L., Brisbane, J., Farrar, J., Hardy, P., Jones, B., Pickles, J. and Shepherd, J. P. 2012. The Welsh Government's proposed 'Ending Violence Against Women and Domestic Abuse (Wales) Bill': Recommendations from the Task & Finish Group. Technical Report.
Fevre, R. W., Lewis, D., Robinson, A. L. and Jones, T. D. B. 2012. Trouble at work. London: Bloomsbury Academic. (10.5040/9781849664677)
Robinson, A. L. and Howarth, E. 2012. Judging risk: Key determinants in British domestic violence cases. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 27(8), pp. 1489-1518. (10.1177/0886260511425792)

2011

Robinson, A. L. and Hudson, K. J. 2011. Different yet complementary: two approaches to supporting victims of sexual violence in the UK. Criminology and Criminal Justice 11(5), pp. 515-533. (10.1177/1748895811419972)
Jones, T. D. B., Robinson, A. L., Fevre, R. W. and Lewis, D. 2011. Workplace assaults in Britain: Understanding the influence of individual and workplace characteristics. British Journal of Criminology 51(1), pp. 159-178. (10.1093/bjc/azq064)
Robinson, A. L. 2011. Risk and intimate partner violence. In: Kemshall, H. and Wilkinson, B. eds. Good practice in assessing risk current knowledge, issues and approaches. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, pp. 119-138.

2010

Robinson, A. L. 2010. Domestic violence. In: Brookman, F. et al. eds. Handbook on Crime. Cullompton: Willan Publishing, pp. 245-269.
Fevre, R., Robinson, A. L., Jones, T. D. B. and Lewis, D. 2010. Researching workplace bullying: the benefits of taking an integrated approach. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 13(1), pp. 71-85. (10.1080/13645570802648671)
Robinson, A. L., Tregidga, J. and Rees, A. 2010. HomeSafe: final evaluation report on the Cardiff HomeSafe Project. Project Report. Cardiff: Women’s Safety Unit/Cardiff University School of Social Sciences.

2009

Robinson, A. L. 2009. Independent sexual violence advisors: a multisite process evaluation funded by the Home Office. Technical Report.
Howarth, E. L., Stimpson, L., Barran, D. and Robinson, A. L. 2009. Safety in numbers: a multisite evaluation of independent domestic violence advisor services. Project Report. [Online]. London: The Henry Smith Charity. Available at: http://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk/documents/SafetyinNumbersFullReportNov09.pdf
Maxwell, C. D., Robinson, A. L. and Klein, A. R. 2009. The prosecution of domestic violence across time. In: Stark, E. and Buzawa, E. S. eds. Violence Against Women in Families and Relationships., Vol. 3. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger, pp. 91-113.
Robinson, A. L. and Rowlands, J. 2009. Assessing and managing risk among different victims of domestic abuse: limits of a generic model of risk assessment?. Security Journal 22(3), pp. 190-204. (10.1057/sj.2009.2)
Robinson, A. L. 2009. Independent sexual violence advisors: a process evaluation. Technical Report.
Robinson, A. L., Hudson, K. J. and Brookman, F. 2009. A process evaluation of Ynys Saff, the sexual assault referral centre in Cardiff: final evaluation report. Project Report. [Online]. The South Wales Criminal Jusitice Board. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/resources/CardiffSARC.pdf
Jones, T. D. B., Robinson, A. L., Fevre, R. W. and Lewis, D. 2009. Assaults and violence in the workplace. Presented at: British Society of Criminology annual meeting, Cardiff, UK, 29 June - 1 July 2009.
Robinson, A. L. and Tilley, N. 2009. Factors influencing police performance in the investigation of volume crimes in England and Wales. Police Practice and Research 10(3), pp. 209-223. (10.1080/15614260802381091)

2008

Robinson, A. L. 2008. Measuring what matters in specialist domestic violence courts. Presented at: Stop Domestic Violence Against Women Conference, Vienna, Austria, 5 -7 November 2007 Presented at Krenn, M., Weiss, K. and Logar, R. eds.Ten years of Austrian anti-violence legislation: international conference in the context of the Council of Europe campaign to combat violence against women, including domestic violence, Vienna and St. Pölten, Austria, 5 -7 November 2007. Vienna: Federal Chancellery – Federal Minister for Women and Civil Service pp. 227-234.
Robinson, A. L., Hudson, K. J. and Brookman, F. 2008. Multi-agency work on sexual violence: challenges and prospects identified from the implemenation of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice 47(4), pp. 411-428. (10.1111/j.1468-2311.2008.00531.x)
Fevre, R. W., Robinson, A. L., Jones, T. D. B. and Lewis, D. 2008. Work fit for all – disability, health and the experience of negative treatment in the British workplace. Project Report. [Online]. London: Equality and Human Rights Commission. Available at: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/work_fit_for_all_-_final.pdf
Joshua, F., Rix, A. and Robinson, A. L. 2008. Evaluation of Welsh Women’s Aid. Project Report. [Online]. Welsh Assembly Government. Available at: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dsjlg/research/090209womensaidreporte.pdf
Robinson, A. L. and Tregidga, J. 2008. Interim evaluation report on the Cardiff HomeSafe Project: year 2 findings. Project Report. School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University.
Robinson, A. L. and Maxwell, C. D. 2008. The challenge of responding effectively to violence against women in a global context. International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice 32(2), pp. 133-147. (10.1080/01924036.2008.9678783)
Robinson, A. L. 2008. Measuring what matters in specialist domestic violence courts. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/resources/wp102.pdf

2007

Robinson, A. L. 2007. Improving the Civil-Criminal Interface for Victims of Domestic Violence. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice 46(4), pp. 356-371. (10.1111/j.1468-2311.2007.00482.x)
Moore, L. et al. 2007. Social science quantitative methods capacity building in Wales: ESRC/HEFCW scoping study. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
Williams, M. L. and Robinson, A. L. 2007. Counted in! The all Wales survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual people [report]. Stonewall. Available at: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/other/startdownload.asp?openType=forced&documentID=1187
Williams, M. L. and Robinson, A. L. 2007. Homophobic hate crime in Wales: patterns, predictors and consequences. Presented at: British Society of Criminology Annual Conference, London School of Economics, London, UK, 2007.

2006

Robinson, A. 2006. Advice, Support, Safety & Information Services Together (ASSIST): The benefits of providing assistance to victims of domestic abuse in Glasgow. Technical Report.
Robinson, A. L. 2006. Reducing repeat victimisation among high-risk victims of domestic violence: The benefits of a coordinated community response in Cardiff, Wales. Violence Against Women 12(8), pp. 761-788. (10.1177/1077801206291477)
Robinson, A. and Cook, D. 2006. Understanding Victim Retraction in Cases of Domestic Violence: Specialist Courts, Government Policy, and Victim-Centred Justice. Contemporary Justice Review 9(2), pp. 189-213. (10.1080/10282580600785017)
Williams, M. L. and Robinson, A. L. 2006. Homophobic victimisation amongst lesbian, gay & bisexual people. Presented at: American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2006.

2004

Williams, M. L. and Robinson, A. L. 2004. Problems and prospects with policing the lesbian, gay and bisexual community in Wales. Policing and Society 14(3), pp. 213-232. (10.1080/1043946042000241811)

2003

Robinson, A. L. 2003. The Impact of Police Social Capital on Officer Performance of Community Policing. Policing An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management 26(4), pp. 656-689. (10.1108/13639510310503569)
Maxwell, C. D., Robinson, A. L. and Post, L. A. 2003. The Impact of Race on the Adjudication of Sexual Assault and other Violent Crimes. Journal of Criminal Justice 31(6), pp. 523-538. (10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2003.08.005)
Robinson, A. L. and Williams, M. L. 2003. Counted out: findings from the Stonewall Cymru LGB survey. Project Report. Stonewall.
Williams, M. L. and Robinson, A. L. 2003. Problems and prospects with policing the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. Presented at: American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, Denver, CO, USA, 2003.

My research over the last twenty years has predominantly focussed on how the police and criminal justice system, health and community-based agencies respond to violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

My quantitative expertise in particular has led to an established track record of funded research as both principal and co-investigator. I also have extensive experience with the collection and analysis of qualitative data. My research can be described as utilising mixed methods and having a strong policy focus, with the aim of producing positive changes in real-world settings.

I have an enduring commitment to the improvement of governmental, legislative and practical approaches to reducing violence, and an established track record of effectively engaging with academics, practitioners, stakeholders, and the general public in relation to this issue.

I have two decades of teaching experience, and ten years of curriculum design experience. My extensive experience covers all aspects of tertiary-level teaching, including the development of new modules, delivering lectures to both large and small cohorts, group tutorials, individual supervisions and workshops.

During my time at Cardiff University I have taught on all of the undergraduate Criminology modules, and most of the postgraduate Criminology modules. I have also taught on both undergraduate and postgraduate Research Methods modules, and have convened both undergraduate and postgraduate modules.

My teaching is informed by my experience as an active researcher. The overall objective of my teaching is to produce students who are thoughtful, capable and critical consumers of research as well as budding, enthusiastic, and proficient producers of research.

2002

PhD Interdisciplinary Social Science, Michigan State University

1996

MS Criminal Justice, University of Alabama

1994

BA Criminal Justice and Psychology (double major), University of Alabama

Honours and awards

2021

Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice Hall of Fame Award.

2020

European Society of Criminology Best Article Award: Verbruggen, J., Blokland, A., Robinson, A. L., and Maxwell, C. D. 'The relationship between criminal behaviour over the life-course and intimate partner violence perpetration in later life,' European Journal of Criminology, 17(6), 784-805

2020

Literati Award for Outstanding Paper: Robinson, A. L., Rees, A. and Dehaghani, R. 'Making connections: A multi-disciplinary analysis of domestic homicide, mental health homicide and adult practice reviews,' Journal of Adult Protection, 21(1), 16-26.

2016

Cardiff University Policy Innovation & Impact Award: 'From White Paper to Royal Assent: Academic Input into the Development of the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse, and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015.' (with EJ Renold)

2014

Article shortlisted for the SAGE Prize for Innovation and/or Excellence: Fevre, R., Robinson, A. L., Jones, T., and Lewis, D. 'Disabled Employees' Perceptions of Ill-treatment in the Workplace', Work, Employment & Society, 27(2), 296-315.

2009

Runner up Best Article: Robinson, A. L. and Tilley, N. 'Factors Influencing Police Performance in the Investigation of Volume Crimes in England and Wales', Police Practice and Research, 10(3), 1-15.

2000

Winner of the American Society of Criminology's Division of Women and Crime student paper award: Robinson, A. L. and Chandek, M. S. 'Differential Police Response to Black Battered Women', Women and Criminal Justice, 12(2/3), 29-61.

Professional memberships

British Society of Criminology (Editor 2012-2022, British Journal of Criminology)
American Society of Criminology (Editorial Board, International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice)
European Society of Criminology (organising committee for the 2017 annual conference)
Cardiff Centre for Crime Law & Justice (CCLJ)

Committees and reviewing

2022-present Co-Director of the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute

2017-2021 Deputy Head of School Social Sciences

2016-present: Member of the Senior Management Team

2015-present: Member of the Research Committee, Co-Director of Research (Impact)

2012-14: Director of the MSc/Diploma in Social Science Research Methods (SSRM)

gender-based violence
police and policing
specialist courts
multi-agency approaches to crime reduction
The Criminal Justice System

Contact Details

RobinsonA@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29208 75401
Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WA

Trial to prevent reoffending for partner abuse among men with substance use problems

Professor Amanda Robinson

2024

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2018