Jaime Waters
Dr Waters is an honours sociology graduate from the University of Western Ontario (Canada). She completed a Masters degree in international criminology at the University of Sheffield, where she also did a post-graduate certificate in higher education. Her PhD research focused on illegal drug use among older adults and was awarded by the University of Sheffield in 2010. Research interests include illegal drug use and social research methodology.
Subjects: Criminology and Criminal Justice
Biography
Dr Waters is an honours sociology graduate from the University of Western Ontario (Canada). She completed a Masters degree in international criminology at the University of Sheffield, where she also did a post-graduate certificate in higher education. Her PhD research focused on illegal drug use among older adults and was awarded by the University of Sheffield in 2010.She has been teaching in the criminology subject group at Sheffield Hallam University since 2005. She has been a senior lecturer since 2010, becoming a year tutor in 2008 and then a course leader in 2011.
She has been nominated as an Inspirational Teacher by students in 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, and 2013/14. Her particular teaching interests are around qualitative and quantitative research methods and illegal drug use. She also enjoys being an Academic Advisor.
Dr Waters is a member of the European Society of Criminology. She is also the former chair and founding member of the European Society of Criminology Early Stage Researchers Working Group.
Education
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PhD, University of Sheffield, UK
MA International Criminology, University of Sheffield
PG Certificate in Higher Education, University of Sheffield
BA (Hons) Sociology, University of Western Ontario, Canada
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Illegal Drug Use
Social Research Methodology
Criminology
Websites
Books
Articles
How Biography Influences Research: An Autoethnography
Published: Jan 09, 2016 by British Journal of Community Justice
Authors: Jaime Waters
Subjects:
Criminology and Criminal Justice
In the burgeoning tradition of autoethnography, this article tells the story of how aspects of the researcher’s own ‘biography’ affected the data collection process in a study of ‘hidden’ older illegal drug users. The argument presented here suggests 'biography' can have a significant impact upon the research process and can alter the nature of the relationship with research subjects and contribute to a greater understanding of them.
Editorial: Entering the Field of Criminological Research
Published: Jan 09, 2016 by British Journal of Community Justice
Authors: Jaime Waters
Subjects:
Criminology and Criminal Justice
This special issue of the British Journal of Community Justice will focus upon the experiences of researchers making their entry into the field of criminological research. It seeks to document the experiences of early career researchers and to provide an account of the ‘messiness’ of the research process that, all too often, inexperienced researchers are ill prepared for.
Snowball sampling: a cautionary tale involving a study of older drug users
Published: Sep 15, 2014 by International Journal of Social Research Methodology
Authors: Jaime Waters
Subjects:
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Snowball sampling is generally seen as a highly effective sampling technique that allows for the study of difficult to reach or ‘hidden’ populations. It is also seen as a valuable tool for the study of particularly sensitive or private matters. As a result, it was chosen as the sampling method for a research study into illegal drug users over the age of 40 who are not in contact with the criminal justice authorities or treatment agencies regarding their use.
'I don't know just where I'm going': Older adult drug users, illegal leisure...
Published: Jan 01, 2010 by International Journal of Crime, Criminal Justice and Law
Authors: David Moxon & Jaime Waters
Subjects:
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Older illegal drugs users who are not in contact with the criminal justice authorities or treatment agencies are seldom researched. Drugs were not an essential aspect of the participants’ lives, but a useful yet dispensable facilitator of leisure and no barrier to otherwise conventional lifestyles. ‘Broken narratives’ in work and family life led to altered patterns of use. Drug use helped participants cope with the pressures and uncertainties of life in late modernity.