Trio of new hires for Leeds Law School

Leeds Law School has recently hired three new members of staff. Their diverse expertise will offer students unique perspectives and insights into law and criminology, while contributing to the school's research output and curriculum development. Their arrival marks another exciting chapter for Leeds Law School, enhancing the institution's reputation for excellence in legal education.

Dr Rachael Aplin, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Formerly a Great Manchester Police detective investigating serious criminality, Rachael switched careers in 2004 to begin teaching criminology instead. Her research is policing practitioner focused, within the context of honour-based crime (domestic abuse), elderly abuse & public protection. 

Rachael originally began as a lecturer at Leeds Beckett in the Criminology department whilst pursuing a doctorate. Since 2013, she has taught at other universities including the University of Huddersfield, Northumbria and York St John, teaching across Criminology, Law and Policing disciplines. 

Rachael’s particular specialisms and research interests are policing; police organisational culture(s) and discretionary practices;  honour-based abuse; honour killing; forced marriage; domestic abuse; child protection; child sexual exploitation; policing and partnership working; the management of serious and complex crime; suspect and witness interviewing; child sexual exploitation; Rogue Trader Fraud and Distraction burglary crime. 

Any practitioner or academic wishing to pursue a PhD should contact Rachael at r.l.aplin@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

Dr John McGarry, Senior Lecturer in Law

A very warm welcome to Dr John McGarry, who has joined Leeds Beckett as a Senior Lecturer in Law. John previously taught law at Staffordshire University, the University of Bolton, Edge Hill University, the University of Central Lancashire and the Institute of Higher Education at Blackburn College.

His research interests include all aspects of public law and legal theory and he has published extensively in these areas. He is the author of numerous academic papers, one monograph, two textbooks and the co-editor of four volumes of collected papers.

He's very much looking forward to meeting students in the new term.

Dr Sarah Waite, Lecturer in Law and Criminology

Dr Sarah Waite is a criminologist and active researcher focused broadly on penology, gender and criminal justice responses to women. 

An SFHEA and recipient of the British Society of Criminology’s National Award for Excellence in Teaching Criminology and Criminal Justice, Sarah joins us following posts at Sheffield Hallam and Leeds Trinity Universities. She teaches criminology and criminal justice at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as to those involved in policing and frontline prison officers. 

Sarah is passionate about research that involves and impacts those experiencing the criminal justice system, and is keen to work towards bridging the gap between academia and practice. 

For profiles of the full academic team at Leeds Law School, visit our staff page.