Dr Paul French
Lecturer
Biography
Paul is a dedicated criminology lecturer, module leader, and Outreach Lead Tutor for the Social & Political Science department at the University of Chester. With a robust academic background and extensive teaching experience, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Chester, Paul pursued a PhD in socio-legal studies at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). His doctoral research delved into moral panic theory, terrorism, and the proliferation of fake news and conspiracy theories, focusing on their impact on democratic values and legal protections for human rights. His work specifically investigated the long-term effects of short-lived, disproportionate social fears on legislation, social control, and community cohesion. Paul holds a BSc in Psychology with Criminology from the University of Chester and an MSc in Global Crime Justice & Security from LJMU. His master's dissertation provided a comparative analysis of UK and US counter-terrorism surveillance methods and their implications for human rights and civil liberties. Before joining the University of Chester, Paul contributed to the academic community as a course tutor with The Brilliant Club Scholars Program. There, he designed and taught modules on early Cold War history, including a course titled "Moral Panic: The Red Scare."
Teaching and Supervision
Paul has taught across a range of modules. Current teaching modules include: - Level 5: Theories of Crime & Justice - Level 5: State crime & Resistance - Level 6: International (In)Justices & the Death Penalty - Level 6: Supervision of Dissertation projects Former modules include: - Level 4: Offender Management - Level 4: Forensic Psychology & Criminal Justice - Level 5: Employability Skills Analysis Development and Planning
Research and Knowledge Exchange
Paul's research interests lie at the intersection of moral panic theory, terrorism, and conspiracy theories, with a particular focus on their impact on democratic values and human rights protections. His doctoral research aims to investigate the long-term consequences of transient and disproportionate social fears on legislation, social control, and community cohesion. By exploring these dynamics, Paul seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of how societal reactions to perceived threats can shape legal and social frameworks.