Research event to tackle knife crime and promote sports inclusion

The University of Wolverhampton's Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing has reinforced its commitment to addressing critical society issues through impactful research-focused event, tackling knife crime in the region and promoting inclusivity in sports.

In response to the concerning rise in knife crime rates within the West Midlands, the Faculty recently organised a research-driven event featuring Warinder Juss MP for Wolverhampton West. The discussion centred on how the Faculty's research expertise can be used to collaborate with youth groups and centres, aiming to understand the root causes of youth involvement in crime and develop effective intervention strategies.

Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar MBE, Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, "The West Midlands has become known as the knife crime capital in the UK. With the support of Warinder Juss MP, we discussed how the expertise of colleagues in the Faculty will enable us to work closely with youth groups and youth centres to address how and why youngsters become involved in crime and how we can tackle this growing issue through research, knowledge exchange and public engagement."

A dedicated research working group, comprising Faculty members and external stakeholders, is being established to collect primary data. This research will be shared with key policymakers to inform evidence-based strategies for crime reduction.

The Faculty also hosted a Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) research event featuring Dal Singh Darroch, Head of Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Programmes at the Football Association (FA). This event facilitated a dialogue on promoting inclusive football and exploring potential research collaborations between the FA and the University's School of Sport.

"As a Faculty, we were delighted to welcome Dal Singh Darroch to the University. We had a lively research discussion around how we, as a Faculty, will work closely with Dal to address inequality in football. I look forward to developing research projects and activities with the support of Dal," said Dr Takhar.

These research-focused initiatives underscore the University of Wolverhampton's dedication to addressing pressing social issues through rigorous inquiry, collaboration, and community engagement. The Faculty’s proactive approach exemplifies the institution's commitment to driving positive change through impactful research.

Image L-R:  Dal Singh Darroch, Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar MBE, Warinder Juss MP