University of Essex Sociology & Criminology Department

🌊 Film Screening + Q&A 🌊

A powerful documentary following five trans protagonists in Maputo and Rio de Janeiro, exploring exile, belonging, and transnational solidarity amid rising authoritarianism.

🎬 Produced by Dr. Phoebe Kisubi Mbasalaki
🎥 Directed by Kurt Orderson
🗓 Fri 29 May 2026
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS (KLT)
🎤 Live Q&A with the filmmakers & collaborators
🎟 Limited spaces — register now:
🔗 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/feministcentreforracialjustice/2115193 - link also in bio

What a way to wrap up the year 🎉

From an inspiring Undergraduate Student Conference—showcasing brilliant ideas, thoughtful research and confident presentations—to our Student‑Staff Summer Celebrations, it’s been a reminder of what makes our community so special.
Seeing students share their work, support each other, and then come together with staff to celebrate the year has been a real highlight. Huge congratulations to everyone who presented, organised, attended and helped make these events such a success 🙌

Swipe through for some of our favourite moments 📸☀️

📸✨ Check out all the incredible entries from this year’s SocCrim Photo Competition!

A huge thank you to everyone who got involved — the creativity, insight and storytelling on display has been outstanding 👏

🏆 The overall winner will be revealed at the SocCrim Student–Staff Summer Celebration Evening, this Thursday from 4:30pm in the Lakeview room…so keep your eyes peeled… and good luck to all our entrants!

🎉 This Thursday - 30 April 🎉

Calling all Sociology & Criminology students!

From finding out your future module options, to exploring research methods, to hearing incredible student research at our UG Conference – this is a full day designed for you.

🔥 What’s happening:
📚 Methods Fest – for all first years to get the lowdown on qualitative & quantitative methods
🧭 Module Fair – for all first and second years to plan your next year with confidence
🎤 3rd Annual UG Conference – student research, big ideas, real impact – all welcome!
🥂 Staff–Student Summer Celebration – finish the day celebrating our amazing SocCrim community – all welcome!

📍 All sessions in 5.300 A/B (celebration at Lakeview Room, Silberrad Building)
⏰ Starts 10am – See programme for more info
👉 Learn. Connect. Be inspired. Don’t miss it!

Gemma, from the East Anglian Folk Centre came to the University and taught the Soc&Crim third year students how to make a Zine. We talked about folk legends, stories, and criminology! The students created Zines exploring current social problems and topics of crime and society. For many, this was their last ever class at Essex, they all said this was a great way to end their time at university!

Celebrating EJ! 🎉

We’re incredibly proud of EJ, one of our fixed‑term teachers and a current PhD student, who was recently a keynote speaker at the Hounslow Council LGBTQ+ History Month event 👏

EJ’s talk, “Reimagining LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Building Community Through Technology in a Post‑COVID World”, explored how digital spaces can help strengthen connection, belonging, and inclusion.

An inspiring example of research, teaching, and advocacy coming together — congratulations, EJ! 🌟

🌈

Need study support during the break? 📚

EJ is hosting “We’re here Wednesdays”

You can book via [email protected] or just turn up in person!

📍The office is 5A.318

⏰ 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm

See you there 👋

Last week, Bashir, Afia, Lara, Wendy and Sev from the SC920 module in the Department of Sociology and Criminology travelled to London with Professor Colin Samson to attend a book talk for ‘Decolonizing Maasai History: A Path to Indigenous African Futures, written by Mary Poole and Meitamei Olol Dapash.

Dr Mary Poole teaches at Prescott College in Arizona, United States, where she has been a faculty member since 2003. Her work focuses on African history, social movements, colonialism, and decolonizing research methods.

Thanks to our student Afia for the wonderful photos, and to Prof. Colin Samson for organizing.

Congrats to whose poetry and novel will be launched on the 20th of March at Marx Memorial Library at 6 PM 👏🥳

See the poster and learn more at the blog 👇

https://www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2026/03/12/in-defence-of-the-everyday

SocCrim Student Photo Competition 2026 – extended deadline! ⏱️

Let your creativity run wild as you snap a picture of anything that inspires your sociological imagination! 👀

The competition is open to any student in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, whether you’re UG, PGT, or PGR. 🙌

How to enter
📸Complete and submit the form (link in bio)
📌Deadline: 07 April 2026
🏆Winning photos: revealed 30 April at the Student Scholars Award Ceremony in the Lakeview Room
👉Swipe to see some examples, which are on display outside the Student Helpdesk (5A.318)

We look forward to your entries!

Form to enter ⬇️
https://forms.office.com/e/GTvC0kHQ3E

📣 We’re excited to share that the SocCrim Undergraduate Student Conference 2026 now has a new date: 30 April 2026! 📣

📧 Check your emails for full details on how to get involved.

🎤 Interested in presenting?
Visit the link in our bio to register your interest.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr Xintong Jia.

We can’t wait to see you there!