Welcome to Imagining Possible Futures
Our ambitious plan is to undertake the first large scale, participatory study of lived experience-led criminal justice across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Former prisoners and criminalised people take active roles as researchers, lecturers and trainers, practitioners (peer supporters, prison council and equality representatives, co-producers and leaders of services), policy and practice advisors, and (academic) authors advancing criminological theory. Despite growing forms of participation in criminal justice internationally, there is a need for a fuller evidence base.
The project has 3 core aims
To document a history lived experience-led criminal justice.
To critically examine current models of participation, coproduction and lived experience-informed criminal justice practice.
To use artistic and speculative design practices to explore future possibilities for participatory criminal justice.
If you are interested in being a participant in the research or collaborating on a project, get in touch, Gill Buck g.buck@chester.ac.uk
Meet the Team
Publications
Explore our list of publications for valuable insights and information
Free Resources
View and download our range of free resources
Photo & Artefact Gallery
View our galleries
News & Events
- Unlock Strategy Launch and John Samuels Inaugural Lecture
On 10 June 2026, Gill and Emma attended the launch of the new 5 year strategy for Unlock – for people with criminal records. The event was held at the beautiful Lincoln’s Inn, London, in honour of their long serving president, Judge John Samuels KC. It included a brilliant keynote from Professor Shadd Maruna (UKRI project mentor and… Read more: Unlock Strategy Launch and John Samuels Inaugural Lecture - A Neglected History of Lived Experience-Led Criminal Justice, University of Manchester
On 3 June 2026, Gill Buck spoke at the at University of Manchester introducing a recently published paper. The talk outlined themes in participatory justice across the 1800s. The discussion afterwards focused on historical methods, ethical dilemmas and conflicts in participatory justice work. We extend our sincere thanks to Marion Vannier, Helen Gair and David Gadd for your hospitality and… Read more: A Neglected History of Lived Experience-Led Criminal Justice, University of Manchester - European Social Work research conference, Scotland 2026
In April, Gill spoke at the European Conference for Social Work Research (ECSWR) in Aberdeen. Gill and colleague Dr Danica Darley from the University of Sheffield presented their reflective chapter “Lived experience informed criminal justice social work in England: A case of generative justice?”, which has been published in The Routledge International Handbook of Criminal Justice Social… Read more: European Social Work research conference, Scotland 2026 - 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole, Bali 2026
In April, Paula visited beautiful Bali to place lived experience research and activism on the world stage. Joined by Dwayne Antojado from Adelaide University, Donna Arrondelle from the University of Southampton and colleagues from Penal Reform International, Paula represented the team at the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole, sharing emerging research findings, policy-based… Read more: 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole, Bali 2026