Professor Megan O'Neill
Chair of Criminology
Energy Environment and Society, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law
Contact
Research
Megan O’Neill is a Professor of Criminology in the School of Humanities, Social Science and Law at the University of Dundee. Her work focuses on aspects of police culture, stop and search, community policing, public sector pluralisation in policing, technology in policing and surveillance practices of the state.
She has published in several journals, including The European Journal of Criminology, The British Journal of Criminology, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Policing and Society and Policing: A journal of policy and practice. She has published two monographs: Policing Football (2005) and Police Community Support Officers (2019).
Prof O’Neill has received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, Horizon 2020 (Unity), Nordforsk (as PI) and most recently was the coordinator for a successful application to Horizon Europe (Clarus, now serving as Scientific Lead).
Prof O’Neill’s work is largely qualitative, with a particular focus on ethnography, and blends theoretically informed research with applications for developing policing practice.
Media availability
I am available for media commentary on my research.
Prof O’Neill’s work focuses on policing research, in particular: police culture, community policing, football policing, partnership work in policing, issues of race and gender in policing, public sector pluralisation in policing, private sector security and policing and surveillance practices of the state. She has extensive media experience.
Contact Corporate Communications for media enquiries.
Areas of expertise
- Crime
- Policing
- Surveillance and society
Research projects
Project lead
Research project
Exploring and Reducing Systematic Bias in Digital Forensic Investigations Across Europe
Stories
News
The proposed restructure of England and Wales’ police forces is needed to deal with the reality of 21st century crime but the mistakes that beset the creation of Police Scotland must be avoided, according to a University of Dundee expert in the subject.
Press release
A University of Dundee study will give volunteer jurors from across Scotland the opportunity to deliver their verdict on the future of digital crime fighting.
Press release
A major new University of Dundee study could improve transparency and remove organisational bias from an increasingly important aspect of police and forensic scientific work.