Mark Walters, Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology and Deputy Head of Sussex Law School, has recently been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. His work focuses on how the criminal law, and more broadly the criminal justice system, can be most effectively used to address the causes and consequences of hate crime. We caught up with Mark to find out more about him and what he loves about his role and working at Sussex. 

I have always been interested in buildings, both historical and contemporary and when I was younger, I decided I wanted to be an architect. I completed my first work experience at a local firm where my claim to architectural fame was to design a car park at a Co-op supermarket in a village in Essex. When I found out that training to become an architect would take at least five years I suddenly changed my mind. Ironically, I ended up studying at university for over eight years before becoming a lecturer!  

Few things make me lose track of time other than writing. Once I start, I can write for hours and hours. I have ADHD and experience periods of what is called ‘hyper-focus’. My husband often has to knock on my office door at home to remind me to drink some water or to eat my lunch. Having ADHD can be really difficult sometimes, but when it comes to my academic work it can also be my super strength.  

People who inspire me are those who dedicate time to empowering others that are socially and economically marginalised, be it through politics, activism or academia. I love working with people from different backgrounds here in the UK and internationally. As an academic I am very fortunate in that I get to travel a lot and can meet incredibly inspiring and passionate people who have dedicated their lives to fighting prejudice and hatred. Working with civil society organisations, NGOs and various governments to help them implement evidence-based policies and practices to address hate crime is what gets me out of bed every morning.   

I enjoy walking through the small ‘woodland walk’ situated between my office and one of the teaching blocks. It is a moment of serenity where you spend two minutes amongst the trees and a small pond. I also love my office. I am very lucky to have a large window that looks directly out onto a hill and some trees. At this time of year, the hill is covered with daffodils.

The best piece of advice I have been given is to feel the fear and do it anyway. That might sound a little trite, but fear and anxiety can get such a tight grip on us; especially when we are young and finding our place in what is a complex and sometimes scary world. Learning to understand what I’m fearful of, and how to manage and even utilise it, was the key to freeing me from that nagging voice that often stops us from realising our true potential. It has made huge difference to my academic career and drives me to help others too.