About

Publications

Research Projects

News & Events

Dr. Colin Atkinson is an early-career lecturer in criminology and criminal justice at the University of the West of Scotland.

His research interests focus mainly upon the intersection of crime, policing, intelligence and security, particularly as these issues relate to terrorism and organised crime. Colin has a professional background in intelligence analysis and counter-terrorism, and before joining the University of the West of Scotland he held the position of research fellow at the University of Glasgow.

He holds several degrees, including an MA (Hons) in politics and an MPhil (with distinction) in international politics from the University of Glasgow, as well as an MSc in criminology and criminal justice (with distinction) from the University of Strathclyde. He most recently achieved an MLitt in terrorism studies (with distinction) from the University of St Andrews and a PhD in sociology from the University of Glasgow.

His research has appeared in several peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and policy reports. Colin is an associate editor for the journal Criminology and Criminal Justice, and has reviewed manuscripts for several journals in the areas of policing, security and terrorism.

Contact

Institution:

University of the West of Scotland

Address:

School of Media, Culture and Society
Strategic Hub for Society, Policy, Governance & Justice

Research Themes

New Media, Surveillance and Technology

Policing and Security

Research Methods and Criminological Theory

June 2018

Community experiences of serious organised crime: Summary findings

This research was commissioned by the Scottish Government to explore the community experiences of serious organised crime ( SOC) in […]

February 2018

British Transport Police: Leaving Home Project: The impact of the transfer of BTP D Division into Police Scotland on officers and staff

In November 2014 the Smith Commission recommended that the functions of the BTP in Scotland should be a devolved matter. […]

August 2016

Service responses for older high-risk drug users: a literature review

This report identifies and reviews the academic literature on service responses for older high-risk drug users. It aims to identify […]

2016

Patriarchy, gender, infantilisation: A cultural account of police intelligence work in Scotland

Drawing upon qualitative research undertaken in Scotland, this paper provides new insights into police culture by exploring the interactions between […]

2015

Book review: Evaluating counterterrorism performance: a comparative study

2015

Book review: Britain and the war on terror: policy, strategy and operations

2015

‘The Scottish MI5 station will change to MI6. And you know what MI6 does!’ Understanding the hidden politics of intelligence in Scotland’s independence referendum debate

2015

Book Review: Youth street gangs: a critical appraisal, by David C. Brotherton

Review of Youth street gangs: a critical appraisal, by David C. Brotherton, New York, NY, Routledge Press, 2015, 228 pp., […]

2015

Book Review: Tracing the discourses of terrorism: identity, genealogy and the state by Ondrej Ditrych

Book Review: Tracing the discourses of terrorism: identity, genealogy and the state Ondrej Ditrych Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

2015

Book Review: The Oxford Handbook of Organized Crime by L. Paoli (ed)

22nd July 2015

A Systematic Review of Police Interventions against Serious Organised Crime

This research project is being undertaken as one of the work packages included in a series coordinated by the What […]

20th January 2010

Working Lunches at Ivy Lodge

Working Lunches are held from 12.30pm to 2pm on Wednesdays in the ASRF Meeting Room, 66 Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow.  They […]

21st February 2018

83% of British Transport Police Unsupportive of Merger with Police Scotland

26th August 2016

What kind of services would help Scotland’s older drug users?