‘Participation and Learning in Detention (PALD)’
ID
MSCA-2020-LDDonder03
Supervisors
Project description
European legislation stipulates that the deprivation of liberty is a sufficient punishment entailing that all other aspects of prison life should be as similar as possible to life outside prison. This implies that prisoners are also entitled to the right of prison education, learning and training.
Research conducted by the interdisciplinary PALD research group focuses on such education, learning and training activities. PALD brings together researchers from Educational Sciences, Criminology and Movement and Sport Sciences and has attention for various types of participation and learning activities during imprisonment (e.g. educational courses, library, prisoner councils, sport activities, vocational training, involving prisoners in the organization of prison life and taking up a role as active citizen).
The PALD research group investigates the lived experiences and insights of different actors working/ living in prisons: prisoners, prison officers, and people working for organizations that offer prison activities. Because the prison population is very divers, for instance in terms of gender, age and nationalities, also specific attention is paid to the different learning needs and possibilities, both in terms of content as learning methods.
They have experience with qualitative (e.g. individual interviews, focus groups) and quantitative research methods (e.g. survey, penal database), as well as mixed-method studies combining different research methods. Over the years, the PALD research group has developed a strong international network by participating in international conferences, European projects, being a member of for instance the European Prison Education Association (EPEA) and the European Society of Criminology. (ESC). It would be an added value to attract international talent to enrich knowledge in the under-investigated and under-theorized field of prison education, learning and training. The candidate might suggest a specific own topic, or together a proposal can be developed.
About the research Group
PArticipation and Learning in Detention (PALD) Research group
Research conducted by the interdisciplinary PALD research group focuses on such education, learning and training activities. PALD brings together researchers from Educational Sciences, Criminology and Movement and Sport Sciences and has attention for various types of participation and learning activities during imprisonment (e.g. educational courses, library, prisoner councils, sport activities, vocational training, involving prisoners in the organization of prison life and taking up a role as active citizen). The PALD research group investigates the lived experiences and insights of different actors working/ living in prisons: prisoners, prison officers, and people working for organizations that offer prison activities. Because the prison population is very divers, for instance in terms of gender, age and nationalities, also specific attention is paid to the different learning needs and possibilities, both in terms of content as learning methods.