Abigail Shaw

Criminology PhD

After being released from prison in her late teens, Abigail became a mother and realised she needed to provide a better life for her new family. After several attempts at college, she discovered an Access to HE (Higher Education) course, which led her to study Criminology at BCU at undergraduate and master’s levels. She has overcome every challenge life has thrown at her and is now a PhD researcher at BCU focussing on the experiences of black women in the criminal justice system.  

“When I was released from prison in my late teens, I had no qualifications and no work experience. At 19, I also became a mother and realised that I needed to provide a better life for myself and my family. I tried a few times with college, but it didn’t work out. Fortunately, that led me to an Access to HE course which is where I discovered Criminology. This felt very relevant to me with my history and would give me a practical way to use my lived experience to help others going through similar things.

I did consider other universities, but BCU was my top choice because of its diverse community of students and staff. It was also close to home which was essential for me as a mother. BCU accepted my criminal record and welcomed my expertise through personal experience.

This was a huge milestone for me as I’d turned a negative experience into a positive one. I was relieved and proud of myself for pursuing the opportunity.  

My graduation day is the thing I’m most proud of. It was the culmination of the hard work and dedication I put in. Being the first person in my immediate family to attend university is a badge of honour that my family can be proud of.

I struggled to find a job after my undergraduate degree because I didn’t have practical experience and I had a criminal record. I didn’t think I’d be able to pursue postgraduate study after my BA, but I was motivated to continue my research and set a good example for my daughter. So, I attended an open day at BCU to learn what an MA in Criminology would be like and decided to apply. I was pleased to get my MA at a discounted rate, as I’d studied my undergraduate at BCU.

After completing my master’s, I went on to work with several charitable organisations focused on providing support to people who had contact with the criminal justice system and rehabilitation.

A few years later, one of my former tutors suggested applying for a PhD as BCU were offering a full-time opportunity. I seized the opportunity as I wanted to develop my study around Black women with lived experience of the criminal justice system. I also wanted to make a significant contribution to the field, as there’s a big gap in literature exploring these issues.

Despite having to go through an appeal process with the Disclosure and Barring Service due to my criminal record, I was successful. Although there have been many challenges along the way, BCU has always been supportive of me and defended me at every opportunity.

The staff at BCU have been extremely influential in my decision to continue my academic journey and have helped me hone my potential even during times when I have felt overwhelmed and deflated. BCU has a remarkably diverse population and being able to share a space with positive representation has been crucial to my personal and professional development.

I’m also honoured to have been nominated for the BCU Deans and I AM BCU Awards. It’s amazing to be invited into spaces I never thought I would be able to occupy and have my voice heard.

Since I started studying at BCU, I’ve experienced positive changes in both my personal and professional life. Although I’m still developing, my confidence has grown significantly. Embarking on my research journey hasn’t been easy. Trying to balance my PhD and personal life has felt overwhelming at times, but I’ve been determined to make it work.

My ambition for the future is to pursue my own business that focuses on providing alternatives to prison for young people. I would love to continue my research on the experiences of black women and want to create opportunities for mentorship and career advice for younger professionals.

‘I am BCU’ means being a part of a diverse, collaborative, and thriving environment that recognises individuality, and creativity, and allows people to be their authentic selves. Most importantly, it means effecting change for the greater good.

Without the BCU community and the continued support, I wouldn't be the person I am today. BCU has given me the opportunity to hone my skills, take risks, and grow personally and professionally. I'm proud of the progress I've made and I'm looking forward to what the future holds.”