Evans, Martyn

Start date:
October 2018
Research Topic:
Waste Crime
Research pathway:
Supervising school:
School of Social Sciences,
Primary funding source:
ESRC

Green crime is a growing international problem that can have long-term effects on the environment, wildlife and future generations. This has led UK policy-makers to express substantial support for tackling it.

Criminologists are increasingly interested in ‘green’ perspectives, but many current academic discussions centre on global environmental harms. This research aims to explore empirically the level and nature of high volume, routine waste crime offences in Wales. Using existing theory of crime scripts, my research will look to explain the organisation of waste crime and the intended and unintended consequences of enforcement and regulatory approaches.

My aim is to ensure that my research adds a new dimension to green criminology and has significant relevance beyond academia. As an environmental professional for 12 years, combined with the support expressed by policy makers and practitioners in Wales and the UK, I’m passionate about making sure my work research influences future policy and regulatory responses.

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About Martyn Evans

Martyn Evans is a PhD candidate at Cardiff and a Future Regulation lead at Natural Resources Wales. Martyn's research focuses on the level and organisation of waste crime in Wales. His research utilises a mixed methodological approach, including secondary data sources like recorded crime incidents, internviews with key sectoral representatives and regulators, and documentary analysis. Martyn's underpinning this approach with an under-utilised method called ‘script analysis’, allowing him to ‘deconstruct’ the waste crime process to produce a better understanding of the particular methods – or modus operandi – of committing waste crimes. Not only will this contribute to a ‘working typology’ of waste crime, but it’ll help identify specific vulnerabilities in the waste industry, and regulatory responses to these. Martyn believes there’s a huge opportunity to influence theoretical and policy engagement on the causes that shape waste crime, address the shortcomings within contemporary ‘green criminology’, and – most crucially – explore some serious underlying problems that have given rise to waste crime in Wales and further afield. Martyn's working knowledge of the industry, combined with the support already expressed by policy makers and practitioners, will ensure his research influences future policy and regulatory responses.