News and Events

An inter-disciplinary research network which seeks to explore the human capacity for cruelty is being established at the University of Leicester.

The Extremes of Human Cruelty Research Network, brainchild of Dr Sarah Hodgkinson from the Department of Criminology, aims to understand how individuals such as Josef Fritzl and Ian Brady develop in modern society, as well as exploring the reasons behind our fascination with the terrible crimes that they commit.

The network will bring together academics, practitioners and other interested parties from a variety of disciplines to explore a dark and diverse range of topics including sexual and violent offenders, homicide and serial killing, abuse and torture, mass violence, and genocide.

As well as showcasing the existing work and research of the contributors, the network will provide a forum to develop collaborative projects, generate debate and discussion, and attract further scholars, practitioners and researchers with an interest in these areas.

Dr Sarah Hodgkinson, said: “It is a fundamental part of human nature to seek to understand human evil and atrocities and we need to know why such things occur.

“Often researchers from many disciplines are interested in the same fundamental questions but we do not get specific opportunities to hear about work being undertaken outside of our own field.

“Much can be gained from collaborating with individuals working outside of our own discipline and learning from their perspective to enrich our own research.“

Death and suffering continue to pervade mainstream pop culture and ‘dark tourism’ is a growing industry. The Extremes of Human Cruelty Research Network will explore the reasons behind this public fascination with the sinister side of human nature.

Dr Hodgkinson said: “This research builds on my existing interest in the growth of ‘dark tourism’ in recent years and the way in which we are drawn to darker and darker experiences. In other words, why are we so fascinated by evil and atrocities, and what psychological need does dark tourism fulfil in people?”

Dr Hodgkinson will be conducting some of this research in Germany and Austria during the summer. Anyone who has recently visited a Holocaust site is encouraged to get in touch with her on sf101@le.ac.uk to share their experiences and inform her research. 

Those with an interest in joining the network should Dr Sarah Hodgkinson directly on sf101@le.ac.uk 

You can also follow Dr Hodgkinson on her blog