Associate Lecturers in Criminology in the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 0.20 – 0.5 FTE
Term: Permanent 

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

We are looking to recruit several Associate Lecturers in Criminology, in the School of School of Social Sciences and Global Studies at the Open University.

The position is part-time (0.2 – 0.5 FTE) and would involve teaching one or more modules in the Open University’s Criminology programme. There are immediate teaching needs on:

DD105 Introduction to Criminology 

DD212 Understanding Criminology

DD215 Social Research: Crime, Justice and Society

DD311 Crime, Harm and the State

DD315 Researching Current Issues in Criminology

The position is home-based, teaching only and has no fixed core hours. It is permanent, with a probation period of two years. The annual salary and workload are fixed, but there are significant workload peaks and troughs, mainly linked to providing marking and assessment feedback. As part of the role, it is expected that marking of end of module assignments will be undertaken. Other tasks may be required such as focused student support (individual and forum), such as peer mentoring and working with the module team on assessment activities and quality improvement. Some evening and weekend work will be required as this is when most of our teaching takes place. The appropriate level of FTE will be discussed at interview, and there may be the possibility of increasing the FTE later. The starting full-time salary is £38,784 paid pro rata based on your FTE. Although most of the teaching occurs between October and June, some of our modules are presented twice a year, so some also run from February through to September. The position is paid over the full calendar year.

It is anticipated that the contract will start on 01 September 2026.

Person specification

The person specification for this position should be read in conjunction with the generic person specification for an Associate Lecturer at The Open University. As well as meeting all the requirements set out in the generic person specification, you should have:

• An Undergraduate degree in Criminology or in a relevant cognate discipline aligned with criminology and including specific criminological content. Acceptable areas include (but are not limited to) interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Sociology, Social Policy, Criminal Justice and Legal studies.

• An ability to teach Criminology across all levels of undergraduate study 

• An enthusiasm for, and understanding of, critical criminology, Social Harm and Zemiology.

• Experience of teaching secondary and/or primary research methods and approaches, and a commitment to interdisciplinarity as it applies to criminological theory.

• Experience of teaching students with diverse learning needs. 

• The ability to grade assignments accurately and to provide constructive feedback to students.

• Experience of teaching online or an understanding of the pedagogical issues surrounding online teaching.

• An ability to encourage students to engage with scholarship and independent study (including awareness of resources).

It would be an advantage to have:

• A higher degree or Ph.D. (or equivalent).
• Experience of supporting students in preparing and completing projects/dissertations, particularly providing learning support in relation to secondary research methods.
• Experience of teaching and assessment via an online environment.
• Evidence of having taken the initiative to deliver better teaching and learning or to take advantage of new technology in teaching.
• A teaching qualification in relevant subject or HEA accreditation (or willingness to undertake this as part of staff development).

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. To ensure they remain up to date with developments in their academic field, Associate Lecturers are allocated 6 days (pro-rata) per annum for AL-led (ie. self-directed) Academic Currency and 1 day, plus 5 days pro rata, per annum for Agreed Academic Currency and Professional Development. 

Benefits include a supportive and friendly working environment, 27 days holiday per annum (pro rata) with variable (pro rata) Bank holidays and an attractive pensions proposition.

Tuition Delivery
Teaching is mainly delivered on-line.

How to apply

An application form and job-related information are available from the links located below. Any queries regarding the application process please contact AL-Recruitment on [email protected], quoting the reference number FASS-001.

Job related information:

AL Application Form

Generic Person Specification

Terms and Conditions 

All candidates will be asked to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK at interview.

The University is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role as per the requirement laid out the UK Visas and Immigration regarding Right to Work in the UK.

To work with us you will need access to the internet.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check or equivalent for their nation of residency.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications has been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

Email : [email protected] 

An application form and job-related information are available from the links located below.  Hard copies and access details for disabled applicants are available from the Recruitment Co-ordinator at [email protected] quoting the reference number FASS-001.
 

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.