Claire Vanneck

PhD Student

Biography

After returning to education as a mature student in 2002 Claire graduated from the University of Leicester with a First Class BA (Hons) in Criminology, before going on to gain an MSc in Applied Criminology with distinction in 2009.  Prior to returning to education, Claire worked in what is now referred to as the Night-Time Economy in a variety of positions until becoming the General Manager of a large dance music arena. During her career Claire witnessed a distinct rise in both client-to-client and client-to-staff violence, which subsequently resulted in increased levels of both static and manned security measures. This experience has undoubtedly influenced her research interests and also provided Claire with a unique insight into a relatively under-researched area.

PhD Research

‘Private Security Policy and the Occupational Licensing of Door Supervisors in the Night-Time Economy: Panacea, Paper Tiger or Pandora’s Box?’

Claire’s PhD research focuses on the regulation of the private security industry through provisions of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. It specifically addresses how the Act, which introduced occupational licensing as a mandatory requirement for many sectors of the private security industry, has impacted on the door supervisor industry or ‘bouncers’ as they are more colloquially known, and related key stakeholders in the Night-Time Economy. This thesis directly seeks to explore whether such a measure can successfully regulate an industry vilified by the public and closely associated with criminality, and thus improve the safety of those individuals who frequent the licensed premises of the Night-Time Economy. Moreover, Claire intends to develop an alternative theorisation/framework about this new mode of regulation and its impact, by critically analysing Beck's theory of a ‘Risk Society’ and Foucault’s theory of 'Governmentality'. Informed by previous research into door supervision, the project will employ a mixed methods approach by triangulating social surveys with interviews and focus groups involving a range of actors, namely door supervisors, licensees, members of the public and the police.