Dr Andrea Hollomotz
- Position: Lecturer in Disability and Crime
- Areas of expertise: Disability studies; learning disabilities and/or autism; social care; vulnerability; disabled victims and offenders; self-advocacy; inclusive research methods; realist evaluation
- Email: A.Hollomotz@leeds.ac.uk
- Phone: +44(0)113 343 7298
- Location: 11.18 Social Sciences Building
- Website: ResearchGate
Profile
I came to academia from a social work and social care background and I am passionate about research that can have real world impact. My research interests can be broadly summed up as disability studies and human cruelty, in that my work seeks to understand how and why the most vulnerable people in our society (taking disability as a case study) are being targeted and subjected to violence and dehumanising treatment. This work extends to disabled people who have offended. In my recent ESRC funded project on people with learning disabilities who have sexually offended it has become apparent that the majority of these individuals have themselves been severely traumatised in earlier life, long before they started hurting others. My aspiration is to enable a deeper understanding of the needs of those who have been hurt and those who hurt others, to inform service responses that can help to break the circle of offending.
To engage these populations effectively in research I have to be imaginative in my approach to research methods and methodology and I am passionate about passing this knowledge on to our students through undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
PhD Supervision
I am interested in supervising students in a broad range of topics. My particular expertise lies with disability studies, sex and sexuality, offending behaviour and inclusive research methods.
Research interests
My PhD focussed on learning disabilities and sexual ‘vulnerability’. I have argued that the way we often treat people with learning disabilities strips them of autonomy and life and learning experiences that would enable them to become better equipped at identifying (sexual) intrusions and initiating their own safeguarding. My more recent ESRC funded research project focussed people with learning disabilities who have sexually offended. A briefing paper about planning services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism who sexually offend can be accessed here.
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>Student education
I am joined module leader for SLSP2010 Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods and sole module leader for SLSP1170 Understanding & Researching Contemporary Society. I also teach sessions on SLSP5301M Research Strategy & Design, SLSP2020 Crime, Law & Regulation, SLSP2040 Disability Studies: An Introduction. My guest contributions to other modules usually entail a strong focus on disability studies. Here you can read about how we’ve been adapting our teaching for online learning this year.
Research groups and institutes
- Centre for Disability Studies