Dr Andrea Hollomotz

Profile

My work focuses on the sociological study of disability and interpersonal violence, and I work with those who have committed, as well as experienced violence. I understand that these are at times overlapping populations and I aspire towards a deeper understanding of the needs of those who have been hurt and those who hurt others. I also aim to inspire upstream thinking about social change that can help to reduce disabled people’s increased risk to experience and/or commit interpersonal violence.

I have recently lead a Ministry of Justice funded qualitative research project that aims to understand the support needs of disabled adult victim-survivors of rape and sexual violence. You can access the final report here. There is also an Easy Read version. I am currently writing a report, commissioned by the Home Office, on disabled people’s experiences of reporting sexual violence to the police. Previously I led an ESRC-funded project on people with learning disabilities who have sexually offended.

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.

Hereafter I conducted an ESRC funded project on people with learning disabilities who have sexually offended. 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. I also aim to inspire upstream thinking about social change that can help to reduce disabled people’s increased risk to experience or commit interpersonal violence. A briefing paper about planning services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism who sexually offend can be accessed here.

To engage “vulnerable” populations in research about “sensitive” topics 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.

In 2021-22 I have been working on a review of the evidence based on the lived experience of disabled people in the UK for the Cabinet Office’s Disability Unit with Prof Mark Priestley and in partnership with Disability Rights UK.

In 2022 I became a Fair Access to Justice Institute fellow. The Institute brings together criminal justice and disability rights experts, and leading practitioners and advocates from around the world.

PhD Supervision

I am interested in supervising students in a broad range of topics. My expertise lies with disability studies, sexual and interpersonal violence, sex and sexuality and inclusive and creative research methods. I am currently at capacity and will only consider applications from exceptional candidates close to my own research interests.

Student education

I am joined module leader for SLSP2011 Sociology and Social Policy Research Methods. I also teach sessions on SLSP5301M Research Strategy & Design, SLSP2020 Crime, Law & Regulation, SLSP2040 Disability Studies: An Introduction.

Research groups and institutes

• Centre for Disability Studies

Current postgraduate researchers

• Danielle Tomkins
• Chong Liu
• Tabitha Fuster-Burnett
• Kharis Hutchison
• Ruth Austin
• Kelsey Tredgett
• Johanna Knebel