Professor Gwen Robinson

School of Law

Deputy Head of School

Departmental Director of One University

Staff photo of Professor Gwen Robinson
Profile picture of Staff photo of Professor Gwen Robinson
g.j.robinson@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 6863

Full contact details

Professor Gwen Robinson
School of Law
CF1
Bartolomé House
Winter Street
Sheffield
S3 7ND
Profile

I have worked at the School of Law since 2002, having completed a PhD at the University of Wales, Swansea. My first degree was in psychology (University of Sussex) and I completed a masters in Applied Social Studies and a Diploma in Social Work at the University of Oxford in 1996.

Since joining the University of Sheffield I have been involved in a number of empirical research projects and have published in the areas of: probation service reform; offender rehabilitation and management; community sanctions/penalties; and restorative justice.

In the last 10 years my research has focused on the implementation, experience and consequences of a series of criminal justice reforms which saw the part privatisation of probation services in 2014, and their renationalisation in 2020. In 2014-16 I was part of a research team which successfully applied for an ESRC Urgency grant to examine the transition of probation staff from a public sector Probation Trust to a privately owned Community Rehabilitation Company in one case study area. In 2020 we won a further ESRC grant, enabling us to examine the reunification of probation services in an expanded National Probation Service. This study is a collaboration with colleagues at the Universities of Nottingham, Southampton and Liverpool John Moores.

I have also conducted research on the role of probation in the magistrates' courts (2017-18) and I am co-editing a book (with Dr Nicola Carr, University of Nottingham) on Time and Punishment.

Qualifications
  • PhD, University of Wales, Swansea
  • MSc Applied Social Studies and Diploma in Social Work, University of Oxford
  • BA (Hons) Psychology, University of Sussex
Research interests
  • Non-custodial Punishment
  • Offender Rehabilitation and Management
  • Probation Reform
  • The Sociology of Punishment
  • Restorative Justice
  • Qualitative Research Methods
Publications

Books

  • Shapland J, Robinson G & Sorsby A (2011) Restorative Justice in Practice. London: Routledge. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Raynor P & Robinson G (2009) Rehabilitation, Crime and Justice. Palgrave Macmillan. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson G & Crow I (2009) Offender Rehabilitation: Theory, Research and Practice. SAGE. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Raynor P & Robinson G (2006) Rehabilitation, Crime and Justice. Palgrave Macmillan. RIS download Bibtex download

Edited books

  • Robinson G & Carr N (Ed.) (2022) Time and Punishment: New Contexts and Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan/Springer. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson G & McNeill F (Ed.) (2015) Community Punishment: European Perspectives. London: Routledge. RIS download Bibtex download
  • (Ed.) (2004) Alternatives to Prison: Options for an insecure society. Willan Pub. RIS download Bibtex download

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Robinson G (2022) Probation Work in the Juridical Field: A Dance to the Music of Time, Time and Punishment (pp. 203-225). Springer Nature RIS download Bibtex download
  • Carr N & Robinson G (2022) Time and Punishment: An Introduction, Time and Punishment (pp. 1-33). Springer Nature RIS download Bibtex download
  • Burke L, Millings M & Robinson G (2018) Is constructive practice still possible in a competitive environment? Findings from a case study of a community rehabilitation company in England and Wales, EVIDENCE-BASED SKILLS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE: INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH ON SUPPORTING REHABILITATION AND DESISTANCE (pp. 57-78). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Worrall A, Carr N & Robinson G (2017) Opening a window on probation cultures A photographic imagination, ROUTLEDGE INTERNATIONAL HANDBOOK OF VISUAL CRIMINOLOGY (pp. 268-279). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & McNeill F (2017) Punishment in the community In Liebling A, McAra L & Maruna S (Ed.), Oxford Handbook of Criminology Oxford: Oxford University Press. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2016) Patrolling the Borders of Risk: The New Bifurcation of Probation Services in England & Wales In Bosworth M, Hoyle C & Zedner L (Ed.), Changing Contours of Criminal Justice (pp. 42-54). Oxford: Oxford University Press. RIS download Bibtex download
  • McNeill F & Robinson G (2016) Explaining Probation, Probation (pp. 245-261). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson G & McNeill F (2016) Studying the evolution of 'community punishment' in comparative context INTRODUCTION, COMMUNITY PUNISHMENT: EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVES (pp. 1-12). RIS download Bibtex download
  • McNeill F & Robinson G (2016) Community punishment and the penal state CONCLUSION, COMMUNITY PUNISHMENT: EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVES (pp. 228-241). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & McNeill F (2015) Introduction: Studying the evolution of 'community punishment' in comparative context In Robinson G & McNeill F (Ed.), Community Punishment: European Perspectives (pp. 1-12). Routledge RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & McNeill F (2015) Conclusion: Community punishment and the penal state In Robinson G & McNeill F (Ed.), Community Punishment: European Perspectives (pp. 228-241). Routledge RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2015) Three narratives and a funeral: Community punishment in England & Wales In Robinson G & McNeill F (Ed.), Community Punishment: European Perspectives (pp. 30-50). Routledge RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & Svensson K (2013) Practising offender supervision In McNeill F & Beyens K (Ed.), Offender Supervision in Europe Palgrave Macmillan RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shapland J, Sorsby A, Robinson G, Priede C, Farrall S & McNeill F (2013) What quality means to probation staff in England in relation to one- to-one supervision, Understanding Penal Practice (pp. 139-152). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2013) Rehabilitation In Bruinsma G & Weisburd D (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice Springer RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson G (2013) What Counts? Community Sanctions and the Construction of Compliance, WHAT WORKS IN OFFENDER COMPLIANCE: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES AND EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE (pp. 26-43). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ, McNeill F & Maruna S (2012) Punishment in Society: The improbable persistence of probation and other community sanctions and measures In Simon J & Sparks R (Ed.), The SAGE Handbook of Punishment and Society SAGE RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ, Gelsthorpe L & Raynor P (2012) Pre-sentence reports in England and Wales: changing discourses of need, risk and quality In McNeiil F, Raynor P & Trotter C (Ed.), Offender Supervision New Directions in Theory, Research and Practice Routledge RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & McNeill F (2010) Liquid Legitimacy and Community Sanctions In Crawford and Hucklesbury (Ed.), Legitimacy and Criminal Justice RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & Robinson G (2010) The dynamics of compliance with community supervision In McNeill F, Raynor P & Trotter C (Ed.), Offender Supervision: New Directions in Theory, Research and Practice Willan RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & McNeill F (2010) Probation in the United Kingdom In Herzog-Evans M (Ed.), Transnational Criminology Manual International Courts Assoc RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & Shapland J (2009) Reducing recidivism: A task for restorative justice? In Hoyle C (Ed.), Restorative Justice Routledge RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2007) Restorative Justice In McIvor G & Raynor P (Ed.), Developments in Social Work with Offenders Jessica Kingsley Publishers RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2007) Social work in the criminal justice system In Davies M (Ed.), The Blackwell Companion to Social Work Blackwell RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & Dignan J (2004) Sentence management In Robinson G & Bottoms A (Ed.), Alternatives to Prison: Options for an insecure society (pp. 313-340). Willan RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ & McNeill F (2004) Purposes matter: examining the ‘ends’ of probation practice, What Matters in Probation (pp. 277-304). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ, Bottoms A & Rex S (2004) Pulling some threads together In Bottoms A, Rex S & Robinson G (Ed.), Alternatives to Prison: Options for an insecure society (pp. 406-424). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Bottoms A, Rex S & Robinson GJ (2004) How did we get here? In Bottoms S, Rex S & Robinson G (Ed.), Alternatives to Prison: Options for an insecure society (pp. 1-27). Willan RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2003) Risk and risk assessment In Chui WH & Nellis M (Ed.), Moving Probation Forward: Evidence, arguments and practice (pp. 277-304). Editorial Dunken RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2002) Social work in the criminal justice system In Davies M (Ed.), Blackwell Companion to Social Work (pp. 259-265). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ () How practitioners conceptualise quality In McNeill F, Raynor P, Trotter C, Taxman F, Ugwudike P & Graham H (Ed.), Routledge Companion to Rehabilitative Work in Criminal Justice Routledge RIS download Bibtex download
  • Millings M, Burke L & Robinson G () The ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ agenda in England and Wales: implications of privatisation In McNeill F, Raynor P, Trotter C, Taxman F, Ugwudike P & Graham H (Ed.), Routledge Companion to Rehabilitative Work in Criminal Justice RIS download Bibtex download

Book reviews

Reports

  • Robinson G (2022) Pre-Sentence Reports: A review of policy, practice and research RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sorsby A, Shapland J, Farrall S, McNeill F, Priede C & Robinson GJ (2013) Probation staff views of the Skills for Effective Engagement Development (SEED) project RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sorsby A, Shapland J, Farrall S, McNeill F, Priede C & Robinson GJ (2013) Probation staff views of the Skills for Effective Engagement Development (SEED) pilot RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ, Priede C, Farrall S, Shapland J & McNeill F (2012) Understanding ‘Quality’ in Probation Practice: Findings from a study in three Probation Trusts RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shapland J, Bottoms A, Farrall S, McNeill F, Priede C & Robinson GJ (2012) The Quality of Probation Supervision: A literature review RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shapland J, Bottoms A, Farrall S, McNeill F, Priede C & Robinson GJ (2012) The Quality of Probation Supervision – A literature review: summary of key messages RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shapland J, Atkinson A, Atkinson H, Dignan J, Edwards L, Hibbert J, Howes M, Johnstone J, Robinson G & Sorsby A (2008) Does restorative justice affect reconviction? The fourth report from the evaluation of three schemes. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shapland J, Atkinson A, Atkinson H, Chapman B, Dignan J, Howes M, Johnstone J, Robinson GJ & Sorsby A (2007) Restorative Justice: The Views of Victims and Offenders: The Third Report from the Evaluation of Three Schemes RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shapland JM, Atkinson A, Atkinson H, Chapman B, Colledge E, Dignan J, Howes M, Johnstone J, Robinson G & Sorsby A (2006) Restorative justice in practice: findings from the second stage of the evaluation of three schemes RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shapland J, Atkinson A, Atkinson H, Chapman B, Colledge E, Dignan J, Howes M, Johnstone J, Robinson GJ & Sorsby A (2006) Restorative Justice in Practice: The second report from the evaluation of three schemes RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shapland J, Atkinson A, Atkinson H, Chapman B, Colledge E, Dignan J, Howes M, Johnstone J, Robinson GJ & Sorsby A (2006) Restorative Justice in Practice: Findings from the second phase of the evaluation of three schemes RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shapland J, Atkinson A, Colledge E, Dignan J, Howes M, Johnstone J, Pennant R, Robinson G & Sorsby AJ (2004) Implementing restorative justice schemes (Crime Reduction Programme): a report on the first year. RIS download Bibtex download

Theses / Dissertations

  • Robinson GJ (1996) Victim-Offender Mediation: Limitations and Potential (Monograph). RIS download Bibtex download

Dictionary/encyclopaedia entries

  • Robinson G (2014) Rehabilitation. In Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice Springer New York. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2007) ‘Resettlement’. In Dictionary of Probation and Offender Management Willan. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2000) 'Prediction'. In Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Social Work Blackwell. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson GJ (2000) ‘Risk management’. In Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Social Work Blackwell. RIS download Bibtex download

Other

  • Robinson G (2020) 'Smart sentencing' and the role of Pre-Sentence Reports. Probation Quarterly(18), 28-29. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson G (2019) Probation services in magistrates courts. Probation Quarterly(11), 14-16. RIS download Bibtex download
  • ROBINSON G (2008) COUNTERBLAST: Pro‐Social Modelling in Probation?. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 47(2), 189-191. RIS download Bibtex download
Research group

Areas of Research Supervision

  • Non-custodial punishment
  • Offender rehabilitation and management
  • Probation practice/reform
Grants

Title/Description: Rehabilitating Probation

  • Awarding Body: ESRC
  • People Involved: Gwen Robinson: with Matthew Millings, Lol Burke, Nicola Carr, Harry Annison
  • Years Funded for: 2021-2024

Title/Description: Devolving Probation Services

  • Awarding Body: ESRC
  • People Involved: Gwen Robinson: with Matthew Millings and Lol Burke (Liverpool John Moores University)
  • Years Funded for: 2014-2015

Title/Description: Evaluation of 3 Restorative Justice Schemes

  • Awarding Body: Home Office/Ministry of Justice
  • People Involved: Research team led by Joanna Shapland
  • Years Funded for: 2002-2007
Teaching interests

All of my teaching is in the field of criminal justice and restorative justice, and in areas in which I have research and/or practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge.

In all of my teaching I endeavour to incorporate aspects of ‘real world’ issues and controversies, through activities such as debates and documentary screenings.

Teaching activities

The modules I teach are:

Undergraduate

Punishment and Penal Policy (Convenor)

Rehabilitation of Offenders (Convenor)

Skills for Criminologists (Convenor)

Postgraduate and MA

Restorative Justice (Convenor)

Professional activities and memberships
  • Member of Editorial Advisory Group, British Journal of Criminology
  • Editorial Advisory Board Member, Howard Journal of Crime and Justice
  • Editorial Board Member, Probation Journal