Internal Quality Review
Department of Security and Crime Science
24 February 2012
Review team’s summary of findings
GOOD PRACTICE
The review team commends the Department of Security and Crime Science for:
(1)
The correlation of its strategic vision with that of the Faculty of Engineering
Sciences, which shows a shared purpose, as demonstrated by the planned
module contribution to the proposed Engineering faculty-wide undergraduate
programme (but see also Recommendation 5 below);
(2)
The close links between the Department’s research and the curriculum for its
taught programmes; the students the team met valued this input;
(3)
Its links with the crime security sector and the well-thought through business
development models. The Department provides relevant qualifications and
offers continuing professional development opportunities based on solid
interaction with the private and public sectors and sound research of their
needs. The Department’s future ambitions to extend its provision appear to be
realistic;
(4)
Its multi-disciplinary approach and engagement with other UCL departments
and faculties, as exemplified by the use of supervisors and co-supervisors
outside the department for its research students;
(5)
Its embrace of technology to enhance its activities and processes (e.g.
Moodle in learning and teaching provision and Facebook in its recruitment
and public engagement activities);
(6)
The Departmental careers events which are successful and popular with the
students and feature relevant external speakers from the sector, with a
handbook of potential employers also produced to accompany the event (but
see also Recommendation 7 below);
(7)
The advice given to students on the MPhil/PhD upgrade procedures; all the
students the team met were clear on what was expected of them;
(8)
The range of public facing events organised by the Department, which
students are encouraged to attend and is clearly appreciated by them;
(9)
The transparency and quality of the work-load allocation system for academic
staff and the innovative ring-fenced credit system which rewards teaching
with additional credits, which can be used by staff for funding of conferences
or extra equipment. The staff the team met appreciated this provision;
(10)
The sense of shared purpose apparent within the Department with staff and
students engaged in a clear vision to develop the discipline. This has also
created a strong sense of community amongst the students and staff.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The review team recommends the following:
Necessary action
The Department of Security and Crime Science should take action to:
(1)
Review the arrangements for its private tutorials and personal tutor meetings.
There was a risk that the current ad hoc arrangements and possibilities for
non-private conversation with students could potentially lead to difficulties.
The booking of specified rooms for such meetings should be considered (see
the Academic Manual Personal Tutor guidance and policy);
(2)
Map departmental arrangements and review monitoring processes with the
UCL diversity policy, to assure itself that it is in accord with it and plan any
action that may be required to meet this (see the Academic Manual Equalities
and Diversity information).
Advisable action
The Department of Security and Crime Science is advised to take action to:
(3)
Continue with its strategy and plans to move the Department to a greater
substantial critical mass, as well as its aspirations to extend the curriculum
and offer more module and programme choice. This would, with careful
planning, enhance the student experience and further its role as a leader in
the development of the discipline, as well as ensure sustainability and
potential for growth;
(4)
Carefully consider the implications of engagement with the Faculty’s
undergraduate programme plans. Whilst the involvement of the Department is
commendable (see Good Practice 1 above), care should be taken to ensure
that the impact on both academic and administrative staff and resources are
fully considered and that the necessary risk assessments are taken;
(5)
Review its pedagogical approaches to distance learning and explore the UCL
support and advice available, for example from the Learning Technologies
Support Service (Information Services Division) or the Centre for the
Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) (see also the Matters for
Attention outside the Department below);
(6)
Explore ways to make more use of the resources and expertise available from
the UCL Careers Service and ensure that students are aware of this
additional source of advice and assistance.
Desirable action
The Department of Security and Crime Science may wish to consider taking action
to:
(7)
Schedule the PhD students upgrade events for the same day. The
Department might wish to discuss this with the Department of Chemistry
which has found this practice to be very useful;
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(8)
Ensure that, should the Department intend to extend the doctoral students’
involvement in teaching from the current demonstrator/assistant role to that of
more formal teaching (e.g. in running seminar groups), that the UCL
requirements for their training and development, as well as the necessary
support, are met;
(9)
Consider how its relationships to the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and the
Jill Dando Institute might be better communicated externally. Whilst it is clear
that this is understood within the Department, more could be made publically
of the uniqueness of its position and relationship with the two.
Matters for attention outside the Department

The review team will encourage the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, the
Learning Technologies Support Service and CALT to explore ways that
distance learning provision, such as that offered by the Department, could be
extended and supported within UCL.

The review team will encourage the Faculty of Engineering Sciences to
explore with the Department its concerns regarding growth (already
constrained by its present accommodation) and the possibilities for future
expansion.
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