Articles
Photography credit: Theo Moye
Sixth formers discuss consent in the courtroom as part of the Festival of Social Science
As part of the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Festival of Social Science (FOSS), Lecturer in Politics, Dr Sarah Cooper hosted an event for engaged local sixth formers and delivered her current research on constructing consent in the courtroom. This took place on Wednesday 8 November in the very unique setting of Exeter Castle, and the event consisted of two workshops.
The session began by covering the principled separation of motive and intent in the criminal justice system, but continued to encourage the students to ask if society has a pervasive effect on this standard and are able to enter the courtroom in a variety of manners. This was all debated within the context of sexual assault legislation and current contemporary attention around sexual misconduct, and provided a safe and encouraging environment for the sixth formers to debate and discuss these important matters.
The students from Exeter College, Exmouth College, St Cuthbert Mayne School, Cornwall College, St Austell and Camborne Science and International Academy offered excellent feedback, ranging from “Very fascinating” to “Sarah was really lovely and easy to listen to” to “Thoroughly enjoyable and interesting”, with a few stressing that it would be very useful for their UCAS applications.
Date: 28 November 2017