Dr Julie Harris joined the Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) team at Ulster University (UU) in October 2018 and is a Fellow of the HEA.  She completed a BA (Hons) in Politics in 2004 and a Master’s in Social Research Methods (distinction) in 2006 at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB).  Julie returned to QUB to complete her Ph.D. in Sociology which was awarded in 2018.  Her Masters and Ph.D. were funded by the Department of Employment and Learning.  

Before joining the CCJ team at Ulster University, she had also worked as a part-time lecturer, statistician, harm reduction trainer and low threshold, assertive outreach worker for people who use and/or inject drugs.   

Julie's Ph.D. examined transitions to and from injecting drug use and subsequent patterns of use within the context of Northern Ireland.  The research specifically examined risk environment influences upon these processes to identify enabling environments mitigating drug-related harms. 

Her primary research interests focus on drug use practices, harm reduction programmes, drug markets and policy.  She is currently involved in several research projects on these topics.

Previous research funders include the Northern Ireland Alcohol and Drug Alliance, Barnardo's, DEL, and UU.  Current research is funded by Carlisle House, Public Health Agency and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation. 

Teaching

Drugs and Crime (PUP547)

Research Methods for Criminologists (PUP308)

Surveys and Quantitative Methods (SOP708)

Previous Teaching

Introduction to Crime and Deviance (PUP119)

Crime and Criminal Justice (PUP120)

Criminology Applied Placement and Learning (PUP349)

Foundations of Social Science Research (PCS706)

Preparing for your Dissertation (PUP546)

Current Ph.D. Researchers

Joao Raphael Da Silva: Responding to extremism: examining the criminal justice response.

Naomi Dickson: Examining Cocaine Injecting in Northern Ireland. DfE Collaboration with the Department of Health and the Northern Ireland Alcohol and Drug Alliance.

John McQuaide: Harm reduction interventions to improve the health-related quality of life of people with long-term alcohol dependence.

Thomas Nolan: Examining Environmental Influences Affecting Opioid Substitution Therapy in the North and South of Ireland. ESRC NINE DTP Collaboration with Department of Health, Health and Safety Executive Addiction Services in Dublin North City and Council and The Granby Clinic.

Kiara Moore: Exploring the relationship between trauma and problematic substance use in Northern Ireland.

Tobias Niblock: Exploring young people’s involvement in drug markets in Northern Ireland. ESRC NINE DTP collaboration with St. Peter's Immaculata Youth Centre.

Jessica Spratt: Drug consumption amongst members of LGBTQ+ communities in Northern Ireland. ESRC NINE DTP collaboration with The Rainbow Project and the Department of Health.

Completed Ph.D. Researchers

Zoe Campbell: Exploring the lived experience of alcohol dependence/alcohol use disorder through the lens of stigma and social identity.

Josie Scott: Expectations vs. Reality: Insights from Domestic Abuse Victim-Survivors on Criminal Justice Responses in Northern Ireland.