Dr Sean Creaney is Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice, and an experienced researcher with expertise in crime and youth justice research. His research includes a focus on co-production theory and practice, knowledge exchange within criminal justice settings, and the role of lived experience peer mentorship in supporting positive outcomes for children in conflict with the law. He is committed to co-producing research that bridges academic inquiry and professional practice, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, participation, and impact. 

Dr Creaney previously worked as a youth justice professional within a multi-agency Youth Justice Service, gaining extensive frontline experience of supporting children and young people involved in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system. This practitioner background has provided valuable insight into the complexities of youth justice practice and continues to inform his research, teaching, and engagement with professionals across the sector.

Dr Creaney has maintained strong links with practice. He previously served for four years as an Academic Adviser to Cheshire Youth Justice Services, providing evidence-informed guidance to support policy and practice development. He continues to co-chair the Cheshire Youth Justice Research Group, fostering collaboration between researchers and practitioners to support evidence-informed youth justice practice. His professional experience and sustained engagement with practitioners enable him to undertake research that is both academically rigorous and relevant to contemporary criminal justice challenges. 

Dr Creaney has considerable expertise in qualitative research methods, including the design and delivery of ethically sensitive studies involving children and young people. He has led and contributed to a range of externally funded research projects, including a Youth Justice Board-funded Peer Power study exploring co-production and participation in youth justice, and research examining the role and impact of peer mentoring within criminal justice settings. His work has informed policy and practice and reflects a sustained commitment to amplifying the voices of children and young people in conflict with the law.

He is currently involved in a number of research projects, including work exploring the application of Child First principles within risk management contexts in youth justice. This research seeks to advance understanding of how child-centred approaches can be meaningfully integrated into assessment, decision-making, and practice with children who come into contact with the justice system.

He has an established publication record that includes peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, and reports. His work has informed professional practice and includes authorship of an HM Inspectorate of Probation Academic Insights paper. In addition, he has co-edited special issues for leading journals, including the Safer Communities journal and the British Journal of Community Justice, contributing to scholarship on contemporary issues in criminal justice. He serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Safer Communities, supporting the journal’s contribution to research, policy, and practice. In recognition of the quality and impact of his research, he has received several Outstanding Paper Awards through the Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence. 

Dr Creaney is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE), recognising his sustained contribution to learning and teaching in higher education. He is also a former Associate of the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and a current member of the Transdisciplinary Research for Youth Justice (TRYJustice) network, reflecting his ongoing commitment to collaborative and interdisciplinary youth justice research.

Dr Creaney has contributed to the development of youth justice policy and practice through a range of governance and advisory roles. He previously served as a Trustee of the National Association for Youth Justice and is a founding Advisory Board member of Peer Power, an empathy-led social justice charity focused on healing trauma and creating both individual and systemic change for children and young people.

He has made significant contributions to academic leadership and quality assurance within higher education. He previously served as External Examiner for the Youth Justice degree programme at Nottingham Trent University and has extensive experience as both an internal and external PhD examiner. Prior to his current role, he co-ordinated an Access to Higher Education programme within the Department of Health and Social Care at Edge Hill University, supporting widening participation and progression into higher education.

Dr Creaney is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment and to working collaboratively with colleagues, students, and external partners. He oversees the undergraduate Criminal Justice programme, providing academic leadership for curriculum development, student experience, and graduate outcomes and employability, and programme enhancement. He also leads a number of modules across the curriculum, including Mental Health and Offending, Introduction to Probation Studies, and Rehabilitation and Treatment of Offenders. His teaching draws on both his research expertise and professional experience, enabling students to engage critically with contemporary issues in criminal justice policy and practice. He is passionate about supporting student development and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with research and professional practice.