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Nicole Lucas, MSc Criminology and Social Research Methods
After graduating from LSBU in 2013, Nicole Lucas was in no doubt about the best way to continue her development – to stay at LSBU and study for her Masters"The decision was based on the quality of the academic staff within the Criminology department," says Nicole. "They are all leading academics within their fields, producing journals books and research. Their enthusiasm for their subject is also genuinely inspirational – not just for me but for the entire cohort. I cannot understate just how motivating it is to be taught by those with hands-on academic and practical knowledge within the field of Criminology."
Committed and motivated
A quick look at Nicole's academic record at LSBU confirms just how committed and motivated she has been throughout her time with us. As an undergraduate she was the President of the Criminology Society, voted 'Best Academic Society' by the Students' Union, and she was also elected to represent the Students' Union as the Vice-President for Welfare and Students' Rights.
More recently, in January 2014, she was awarded the Lawrence Marlow Prize for academic achievement, combined with service to the course and the community. "It's part of who I am," she explains modestly. "I've volunteered throughout my time at LSBU and wrote a blog that is available to social science students via the employability website."
Vital experience
Nicole has found that her voluntary roles have also helped to add vital experience to her CV, and have added context to her studies that simply isn't possible without putting the theory into practice. My lecturers helped me to make the right contacts to secure the voluntary roles in the first place, while I have also made contacts of my own from undertaking the placements," says Nicole of the experience.
Quality of staff
"My hopes for the future are to either secure funding for a PhD or to find work campaigning and researching within the voluntary sector," says Nicole when asked about her plans for the future.
I feel very privileged to have had such an excellent education in Criminology here at LSBU and I'm glad that I'm continuing that at Masters level. Without a doubt the best thing about LSBU is the quality of the staff within the Criminology department – they are an asset to the university.