Interview with Noreen Wallace, MSt in Applied Criminology, Penology, and Management

Can you briefly summarise your time at the Institute of Criminology so far?

It's been an utterly brilliant experience.

I feel incredibly fortunate that my employer has a history of offering a place on this course each year. I was initially hesitant, as going back to education was a bit dauting, especially as I turned 50 during the programme! I was definitely nervous about the commitment needed to complete the course alongside working full time.

But it's an amazing experience, in terms of the combination of things it offers. We’re taught by leading scholars whose work I’ve admired since my undergraduate days, and the calibre of teaching in criminology, penology, and leadership is outstanding.

Then there’s the other experiences that you get on this course. We go to a different college during each residential block for a formal dinner and see some of the amazing college buildings. So, there's a really good social side of it too. And of course, there’s networking with fellow students on the course. Most of us work in roles connected to criminal justice, whether it's in the UK or elsewhere. The networks you build are remarkable, the exchange of ideas and perspectives has been invaluable to my learning.

What convinced you to study Criminology?

I've always had the interest in criminology. My first degree was in Law, and I chose every criminology module I could. Later, working in probation and the police, I pursued further study in criminal justice. At HM Inspectorate of Probation, my role involves evaluating what works in the system, so this course felt like a natural extension — a chance to deepen my understanding and challenge my assumptions using the latest research. I also knew past students who spoke highly of the experience, which helped convince me to apply.

Why did you decide to come to Cambridge?

This course is uniquely designed for professionals in criminal justice. It’s structured with a clear understanding of the demands of full-time work, offering a supportive and well-organised environment. Communication is clear, deadlines are well signposted, and the academic quality is unmatched. I’m not aware of any other programme that offers anything like this.

Can you briefly describe your thesis?

My thesis is heavily linked to my work. Having thought about lots of different things over the two years, I've come back to thinking very specifically about the way the inspectorate works. I’m exploring perceptions of one-word judgments, ratings and recommendations that are used in probation inspections. Other inspectorates have moved away from using one-word overarching ratings in their inspections, but we still use them, so I'm looking at how well that's received by the organisations we inspect, and how inspectors feel about it. I've interviewed a series of senior leaders from the probation service, inspectors from my own organisation and other inspectorates.

What was the most important thing this course has taught you?

There's so much about individual topics, but I think the overarching thing that I've taken away is to keep learning and keep questioning. Just because things have always been done in a certain way, it doesn't mean they have to continue being done like that.

There's an interesting international perspective on these things too, and I think what I've also learned different ways to learn, absorb and analyse information which has a really strong application in the work that I do.

What advice would you give to somebody who was starting your course?

Make the most of every aspect of it.

The academic side is obviously important, but so is the social side. This means connecting with fellow students alongside making the most of being in Cambridge. We have residential blocks where we come and stay for two weeks at a time, and I think it's really important to immerse yourself in that.

Make the most of the academic side and the time in the library but also take advantage of the opportunities that come along that you won't get at any other time.

And if the weather's nice, go punting - that’s essential!