A day in the life of a criminologist in Australia
By Sarah VercoePublished on
Wondering what working as a criminologist looks like from the inside? Criminologist Dr Wayne Petherick shares what the role actually involves, including the good, the challenging and everything in between.
Inside the role of a criminologist
Criminology isn’t a desk job in the way people sometimes imagine, but it’s not like it’s portrayed on TV either.
Dr Wayne Petherick, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Southern Queensland who has spent 28 years in the field, describes it as “a very complex mix of working with large and diverse groups of people, all with varying agendas and timeframes.”
For criminologists working in academia, the role typically spans teaching, research, administration and, for some, case consultation. For all its variety, the role is ultimately centred on working with people, from students and colleagues to research partners and industry stakeholders. The analytical and the relational sit side by side, and being good at one without the other only gets you so far.
That last point catches some people off guard. Criminology attracts students drawn to research and evidence, and rightly so. But communicating findings to people is just as central to the role as gathering them.
What do criminologists do on a daily basis?
The first thing you need to know about a ‘typical’ day in the life of a criminologist is that there isn’t one. When we asked Wayne to walk us through his, he was quick to say so. “Literally every day is different,” he says. It’s one of the defining features of the work.
What does stay consistent is the mix of things competing for your attention. On any given day, Wayne might be preparing for a lecture, updating his teaching material with a recent case or news story, working through a stack of marking, or writing a research paper or article for submission.
If there's an active case on his desk, that must find a spot on the schedule, too, which usually means getting everything else cleared first. He says:
If you are working on a case, it might involve getting your marking finished so you can focus on the material.
Not all criminologists work on cases, and for those who don't, their day is built more squarely around teaching, writing and research, following the rhythm of the academic calendar. Teaching periods are dense. Research periods, which from the outside can look like time off, are often busier than the teaching ones, says Wayne.
For a more in-depth look at what a criminologist does, read our guide to criminologists’ roles and responsibilities.
What unexpected tasks are part of the job?
One of the biggest surprises for people considering criminology is just how much of the job involves writing.
Reports, grant applications, research papers, lecture materials, ethics applications and funding submissions all form part of the workload. And for criminologists who consult on cases, there's also the need to prepare reports to a standard that could withstand scrutiny in court.
“When I work on a case, I write a report as though it is going to court, because you never know if it will,” says Wayne.
Communication is another part of the role that often flies under the radar. Whether it's presenting research, teaching students or working with stakeholders, being able to explain complex ideas clearly is just as important as analysing them in the first place.
What are the most rewarding parts of the role?
The research and analysis might happen behind a desk, but the work connects to something much bigger. Criminological research can shape policy, improve justice responses, and directly influence the lives of people who come into contact with the law. Wayne says:
If you work in the field long enough you will see the full spectrum of the human condition through victory and loss and everywhere in between.
When you work in criminology, the role is rarely the same two days running, so for people who thrive on that, it's less a challenge to manage and more a reason to stay.
“My brain doesn't deal well with routine, as in repetitive tasks, so the varied workday is a great bonus," Wayne says.
What are the challenges?
The same variety that makes the role rewarding can also be the thing that makes for a demanding career.
There's rarely a clean boundary between one responsibility and the next, and the workload doesn't pause because something urgent lands on your desk. Wayne says:
It might take me a while to build up some speed, but when I get in the zone I can plough through workload in a way that others can’t.
The flip side, he admits, is that the kind of focus that gets him in the zone can also mean losing track of other things entirely. Like eating lunch.
Criminologists regularly engage with difficult material, and while most develop the professional distance to manage it, it's worth going into the profession with realistic expectations about the impact that repeated exposure to crime and victimisation can have over time.
How does the day vary between workplaces?
A criminologist in a university and one working in government are doing quite different things from one day to the next.
In academia, the days and workload follow the academic calendar. Teaching periods are dense with lectures, tutorials, student contact and marking. Research periods are for writing, collaboration and publishing, though Wayne says those periods are often busier than the teaching ones, not quieter.
In government, the work is more driven by the projects you’re assigned, with criminologists spending the day analysing data, evaluating programs, contributing to policy submissions and advising.
The pace and the milestones look different, even when the underlying questions are the same.
Criminologists in consulting or independent practice have more variable schedules still, driven by caseload and client demands.
Read more about how the role differs across roles in our guide to criminology jobs and career pathways.
Who tends to thrive in this role?
People who thrive in criminology are those with exceptional time-management skills, says Wayne.
“By contrast someone who wouldn’t do well is someone who doesn’t have strong interpersonal skills and cannot manage their time effectively.”
Beyond this, criminology tends to suit people who are naturally curious about why crime happens, comfortable navigating uncertainty, motivated by work that can contribute to better justice outcomes, and able to manage varied workloads without needing every day to look the same.
If this sounds like a rewarding career path, read how to become a criminologist.
Explore your criminology study options through us
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Compare online criminology courses from Australian universities, take our course matching quiz, or speak with a student advisor if you’d like help understanding entry requirements and choosing a pathway.
About the author
Sarah Vercoe
Contributor
Sarah Vercoe is a Queensland-based writer bringing lifestyle, education, and human-interest stories to life for national publications and non-profits. When she’s not writing, she’s lost in a book with her cat by her side.
FAQs about the life of a criminologist
Do criminologists interview criminals?
Very occasionally, but it's definitely not a regular part of the job.
“It does happen, but it is not a core part of the job as a general rule,” Wayne says.
He says he’s done it once in 28 years, for a specific purpose on a specific case. Forensic psychologists are more likely to have direct interaction with criminals.
Read more about the differences between psychology vs criminology.
Do criminologists go to crime scenes or visit prisons and courts?
Being present at a scene while it's still being processed is very uncommon. Students may visit a prison as part of their training, but it’s not the standard, says Wayne. Criminologists consulting on cases may observe court proceedings or, rarely, visit a processed crime scene.
Is being a criminologist dangerous?
Generally, no. Most of the work happens in offices, universities and meeting rooms. The work can be emotionally demanding at times, but physical danger is not a feature of the role day-to-day.
Do criminologists use data and statistics in their daily work?
Yes. Data analysis is a core part of the work, from interpreting crime statistics to evaluating research and building arguments.
Do criminologists work regular business hours?
In theory, yes. The demands of the role, particularly in academia, don't always fit neatly into a nine-to-five. Case work and research can spill into evenings, and research periods often involve intensive output rather than a lighter load.
Do criminologists work alone or as part of a team?
Both. A lot of the analytical and writing work is done independently, but criminologists regularly collaborate with colleagues, research partners, students and external stakeholders.
Is the work emotionally challenging?
It can be. Criminologists engage with difficult material across their careers. Most experienced practitioners develop the resilience to manage it, but it's worth being honest with yourself about how you respond to sustained exposure to difficult subject matter.
