Jelle Brands (1985) works as assistant professor at the Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology.

More information about Jelle Brands

Jelle Brands (1985) works as assistant professor at the Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology. He obtained his master’s degree in Urban Geography from the University of Utrecht. After obtaining his master’s degree Jelle started working as PhD in Urban Geography at the University of Utrecht, and studied nightlife activities, experienced safety and surveillance and policing in the main nightlife areas of Utrecht, Rotterdam and Groningen. He successfully defended is thesis “Safety, surveillance and policing in the night-time economy: a visitor perspective” in September 2014.

Research

Educated as Urban Geographer Jelle is broadly interested is urban processes, but his research mainly focuses on experienced safety and (effects) of surveillance and policing. He is concerned with questions such as ‘do people actually feel safer in the presence of a CCTV camera and/or police?’. And ‘can such presence not (at the same time) have unwanted side effects regarding the accessibility of public space for particular groups within society?’. More generally, he is interested in thinking out the ways in which public spaces in cities may be made safer without (at the same time) compromising the positive aspects of city living (liveliness, diversity and freedom). On these topics, he published in both (inter)national academic journals, as well as in a range of professional outlets.

Teaching

From januari 2015 onwards, Jelle Brands is working at the Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology. In the academic year 2016-2017 he is coordinator of the master Criminal Policy and Law Enforcement. He also teaches the second year course ‘practicum verklarende criminologie’ and the master’s course ‘criminaliteit en beleid in grote steden’. He also supervises students writing their bachelor’s and master’s thesis.

Publications