Dr Paul Taylor
Head of School
Biography
Dr. Paul Taylor is the Head of School, School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Chester. Prior to roles in academia, Paul worked in the construction industry and later in NHS acute mental health in-patient settings. Beyond his administrative and teaching responsibilities as Head of School, Paul is a researcher with a robust profile, particularly in criminology, sociology and mental health. His research interests include: - the management of mental health in criminal justice settings, - dictomies of care and control in mental health discourse, legislation, policy and practice, - access to education and work for individuals with criminal convictions, - occupational experiences, particularly within high physical/mental health risk professions such as policing, health services and military service, - occupational experience and suicide/suicidal ideation in the construction industry. Throughout his academic career, Paul has contributed to scholarly discourse on topics such as mental health care policies, the criminal justice system, and the well-being of public service workers. His research not only advances academic knowledge but also informs practical applications.
Teaching and Supervision
Paul contributes to teaching and learning on the criminology programme and sociology courses here at Chester. In addition to this, Paul is an experienced principal supervisor of students pursuing Professional Doctorates and PhDs.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
Paul's research and scholarly work are underpinned by sociological and criminological ideas and perspectives. He has a particular interest in how occupational biographies and working lives feature in social behaviours and experiences. For example, Paul has conducted research examining police firearms officer's mental health and wellbeing, former members of the armed forces experience of intimate partner victimisation, and occupational culture(s) among those who work within inpatient acute psychiatric care. Further to the above, Paul has scholarly interests, broadly, in the area of psychiatric power and social control. Namely: the convergence of mental health and criminal justice discourse, legislation, policy and practice; psychiatric 'care' in the 19th and early 20th century; and asylum/semi-penal institution architecture.