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 to project mentor Shadd Maruna for support.
Read the paper here…
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 to project mentor Shadd Maruna for support.
Read the paper here…
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 Work.
Social work internationally is rooted in solidarity with people facing social disadvantage, yet those with lived experience of criminalisation remain largely excluded from shaping the knowledge and practice that affect their lives. We argued that this gap undermines the profession’s commitment to inclusion. In response, we explored how Generative Justice can help reimagine a more equitable approach. Drawing on lived experience-informed practice in criminal justice settings, we highlighted how peer-led and co-productive models can build trust, inspire hope, and strengthen services, while also acknowledging the ethical complexities involved.
Using the seven principles of Generative Justice, we showed how social work can move beyond risk-averse, paternalistic systems toward practices grounded in recognition, reciprocity, and collective change. Ultimately, we called for dismantling structural barriers and centring experiential knowledge to transform social work into a more just, inclusive, and socially responsive profession.
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 activities and advocating for meaningful roles for people with lived experience in probation and parole.
Talks were aimed at sharing emerging research findings, policy-based activities and advocating for meaningful roles for people with lived experience in probation and parole.
Gill also popped in (virtually) to give an overview of the history of lived experience led criminal justice in the UK and Ireland.
To read more about this work, visit Dwayne’s blog, or the team’s history article.
