Scarlett Furlong
BA (Hons) Criminology (2016)
Scarlett is a social researcher at the Home Office in the Crime Analysis Unit. She talks about what she does now and how she got there following her time at Manchester.
My current role and how I got there
I was placed in the Home Office in 2019 after successfully passing the Government Social Research Fast Stream. Since joining I have worked on a variety of different research projects supporting policy areas such as: pre-charge bail, Police and Crime Commissioners, Criminal Justice System demand, stop and search, and Covid-19 impacts on crime.
Prior to joining the Civil Service, I worked for a not-for-profit organisation as a Policy and Research Officer where I researched and campaigned for evidence-based drug policy in the UK. During my time there I co-authored two research reports, one that examined drug-related harm in education and one that explored the growing trend of drug dealing on social media. Both reports received extensive media coverage and were presented to MPs and a variety of stakeholders in Parliament.
After I graduated from UoM I travelled South America for six months before completing an MSc in Criminal Justice Policy at LSE.
From an early age, I was always fascinated by crime. This stemmed from a love of shows such as Crimewatch and The Bill. I naturally followed this fascination to university, but I was never sure of what career it would lead me to. I had contemplated various roles relating to crime such as joining the police, MI5, charity roles and becoming a prison officer.
My experience at Manchester
I chose to study Criminology at the University of Manchester because I have always had an interest in policing and criminal justice. After completing a module on Crime and Deviance in A-Level Sociology, I knew that I wanted to study this subject area further at university.
The University of Manchester was my first choice as the wide range of modules available on the course appealed to me and the lecturers were some of the top academics in the field. I was also keen to move to a city up north and had heard amazing things about Manchester! I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
My time in Manchester definitely influenced the career I’m in now. I built up many social research skills that I continue to use in my day-to-day job from modules on my course. I also volunteered for a charity whilst at UoM working with individuals who had been convicted of sexual offences. The aim of the charity was to build safer communities by working with these individuals to minimise alienation and support reintegration, which would help prevent reoffending.
There are many aspects of my course that helped set me up on my career path. The course gave me all the core skills of a social researcher working in a criminal justice policy environment. For example, techniques that I learnt in modules such as ‘Accessing and Understanding Data for Criminologists’ and ‘Data Analysis for Criminologists’, I frequently use in my current role. The course also provided good foundations in understanding criminological theory, victimology and drug policy.
Working closely with, and learning from, incredible academics and teachers during my time at UoM inspired me to pursue a career in criminological research.
Opting to do the long dissertation in my final year was definitely something that has helped me in later life. Challenging myself to conduct primary research with university students made me realise how much I loved research, and arguably has led me to where I am today! A big shout out to Dr Lisa Williams who helped me immensely on that piece of work.
My advice for future students
Do not hesitate! If you’re passionate about crime, justice, victims, data and policy – this is the course for you. Manchester is one of the best cities in the world and you will not regret choosing to study here.